Abstract: 【Abstract】〓Objective〓To investigate the biological effect of Rock signal pathway in rat nucleus pulposus cells. Methods〓The expressions of Cox2, MMP3, MMP13 in the rat nucleus pulposus, which was stimulated by TNF-α or Rock specific inhibitor Y-27632, were evaluated by qPCR and western blot..MTS was used to observe the proliferative effect caused by Y-27632 in the rat nucleus pulposus,.and Annexin/PI method was to explore the apoptosis effect of the inhibition of Rock signal pathway among the nucleus pulposus cells. Results〓Rock specific inhibitor Y-27632 can upregulate the expression of MMP13 both in mRNA and protein level (P<0.05). And Y-27632 also showed a pro-apoptotic effect on the nucleus pulposus (P<0.05), while it was found to have little proliferative effect on the nucleus pulposus (P>0.05). Conclusion〓Rock signal pathway may take part in the intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating the expression of MMP13 and the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus.

Key words: Rock, Nucleus pulposus, Intervertebral disc degeneration

摘要： 【摘要】 目的 探讨Rock信号通路抑制剂对大鼠髓核细胞的基质代谢及凋亡等生物学特性的影响。方法〓qPCR和western blot检测TNF-α与Rock通路抑制剂Y-27632对大鼠原代髓核细胞Cox2、MMP3、MMP13的表达调控;MTS细胞增殖试验检测不同浓度Y-27632刺激下对髓核细胞增殖的影响;Annexin/PI法检测Y-27632对髓核细胞凋亡的影响。结果〓予Rock抑制剂Y-27632刺激后,髓核细胞MMP13的表达水平上调(P<0.05),髓核细胞的凋亡率增加(P<0.05),但予Y-27632刺激后髓核细胞的增殖速度无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论〓Rock信号通路可能通过调控髓核细胞MMP13表达水平及其凋亡等生物学特性从而参与了椎间盘的退变。

关键词: Rock, 髓核细胞, 椎间盘退变