Unraveling the mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration: an exploration of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway

Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 2024 · DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1324561 · Published: January 19, 2024

Simple Explanation

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a spinal condition causing low back pain, often leading to herniation and spinal stenosis. It's linked to changes in disc structure and function due to factors like aging and trauma. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in IDD processes like inflammation and matrix degradation. Targeting this pathway may offer new treatments for intervertebral disc degeneration. This article reviews the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in IDD, aiming to better understand the changes in intervertebral disc tissue and find potential treatments.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
The p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in multiple processes of IDD, including inflammation, ECM degradation, apoptosis, senescence, proliferation, oxidative stress, and autophagy.
2
Activation of p38 MAPK can induce inflammation and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases. It also participates in the process of cell senescence, which makes the metabolism of ECM more unbalanced.
3
Inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway may be a significant direction to alleviate the process of IDD.

Research Summary

This review summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms of IDD and the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in its development. P38 MAPK is actively expressed during IDD and influences its progression by regulating processes like inflammation, ECM degradation, oxidative stress, cell death, and senescence. Further research into specific regulatory targets and mechanisms of the p38 MAPK pathway, along with the roles of non-coding RNAs and cytokines, could enhance understanding and lead to novel therapeutic approaches for IDD.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target Identification

Targeting the p38 MAPK pathway offers a potential avenue for developing treatments for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Inflammation Management

Understanding the role of p38 MAPK in IDD-related inflammation provides valuable insights for managing disc degeneration and associated inflammatory processes.

Drug Development

Identifying drugs and stimuli that affect the p38 MAPK pathway may lead to the development of novel therapies for IDD.

Study Limitations

1
Specific regulatory targets and mechanisms of the p38 MAPK pathway are still not fully clear.
2
How drugs exert their effects through the p38 MAPK pathway needs further clarification for better clinical translation.
3
More precise and fundamental mechanism studies are needed to provide safer and more comprehensive guarantees for p38 MAPK as a therapeutic target for IDD.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Genetics