Expression of ADAMTS-4 in the pulpy nucleus tissues of degenerated lumbar discs and its significance

Objective To explore the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif-4(ADAMTS-4) in pulpy nucleus of human degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs and its clinical significance. Methods The expression of ADAMTS-4 protein in fresh pulpy nucleus of 40 patients with lumbar disc herniation(experimental group,27 males and 13 females)and 8 patients with idiopathic scoliosis(control group,3 males and 5 females)were detected with immunohistochemical techniques.Results The expression of ADAMTS-4 protein was positively expressed in 32 cases in experiment group,but none in control group.The expression of ADAMTS-4 significantly increased in the pulpy nucleus of degenerated lumbar discs(χ2=10.53,P0.005).Conclusion The increased expression of ADAMTS-4 in degenerated pulpy nucleus indicates that ADAMTS-4 may be one of the important factors leading to intervertebral disc degeneration.