M. V. Risbud

Neuroimmune changes underscore pain-associated behaviors and disc herniations in SM/J mice

This study identifies SM/J mice as a model for spontaneous disc herniations and shows neuroimmune changes drive chronic discogenic pain.

OPA1 protects intervertebral disc and knee joint health in aged mice by maintaining the structure and metabolic functions of mitochondria

This study shows that OPA1 maintains mitochondrial structure and metabolic functions in NP cells and chondrocytes, preventing age-related degeneration in mouse intervertebral discs and knee joints.

Increased HIF-2α Activity in the Nucleus Pulposus Causes Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in the Aging Mouse Spine

This study shows that increased HIF-2α activity in nucleus pulposus cells accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration in aging mice.

SDC4 deletion perturbs intervertebral disc matrix homeostasis and promotes early osteopenia in the aging spine

This study shows that SDC4 deletion in mice leads to reduced bone mass, altered biomechanical properties, and changes in intervertebral disc matrix composition and metabolism.

GLUT1 is redundant in hypoxic and glycolytic nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc

The paper shows GLUT1 is functionally redundant in NP cells, as its loss is compensated by GLUT3 and does not affect disc development or viability.

The cGAS-STING pathway affects vertebral bone but does not promote intervertebral disc cell senescence or degeneration

This study investigates the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in bone and intervertebral disc health, finding it does not promote disc cell senescence or degeneration but may affect vertebral bone structure.