The effect of aging in the integrin expression of spinal ligaments : assessment with immunohistochemistry and western-blotting analyses

The integrins are cell-surface extracellular matrix adhesion receptors and are known to play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. In this study we examined the effect of aging in the integrin expression in spinal ligaments using immunohistochemistry and Western-blotting. Human lumbar ligamentum flavum obtained in surgery were used for this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies specific for the α_2, α_3, α_4, αv and β_1 subunits and Western-blotting was performed using monoclonal antibodies specific for the α_2 and β_1 subunits. α_2, α_3, α_4, αv and _1 were expressed in spinal ligaments. The density of staining for the α_2 subunit seemed to decrease with aging in spinal ligaments. Expression of β_1 subunits showed no difference between young and old. Western-blot analysis demonstrated that the staining density for α_2 subunits decreased with aging in human lumbar ligamentum flavum, whileβ_1 subunits did not show any significant change with aging. Considering the functions of integrins, these findings suggest that integrins may be involved in the age-related pathogenesis of the spinal ligaments, such as degeneration, calcification, or ossification of the spinal ligaments.

脊柱靭帯

インテグリン

黄色靭帯骨化

本文データは山口大学医学会の許諾に基づきCiNiiから複製したものである