Analysis of Gene Expression in Hondroblasts of Vertebral Body Growth Plates in Patients with Grade III–IV Idiopathic Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) has been known since ancient times, but there is still no unified conception of the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease. The genetic theory of the scoliosis development is predominant. The search for etiological factors in most studies is carried out using the blood of patients with IS. The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of the genes regulating the differentiation and functioning of the chondroblasts of the growth plates (GP), the synthesis and formation of extracellular matrix components of the GP of vertebral bodies in the pathology localization area in patients with IS of Grade III–IV. As a result of the study, the following profile of gene expression peculiar for chondrocytes of vertebral body GP at Grade III–IV IS was revealed: the dis balance of chondrogenic differentiation genes (PAX1, PAX9, IHH), of receptors of the growth and transcription growth factors (SOX9, TGFR1, GHR), and of genes participating in the sulfation of proteoglycans (SLC26A2, CHST3).The data obtained are consistent with morphological and biochemical results, and may be a marker of pathology.