Action of fibroblast growth factor-2 on the intervertebral disc

Xin Li , Howard S An , Michael Ellman , Frank Phillips , Eugene J Thonar , Daniel K Park , Ranjith K Udayakumar and Hee-Jeong Im

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:R48doi:10.1186/ar2407


Published:	24 April 2008

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is a growth factor that is immediately released after cartilage injury and plays a pivotal role in cartilage homeostasis. In human adult articular cartilage, FGF2 mediates anti-anabolic and potentially catabolic effects via the suppression of proteoglycan (PG) production along with the upregulation of matrix-degrading enzyme activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the biological effects of FGF2 in spine disc cells and to elucidate the complex biochemical pathways utilized by FGF2 in bovine intervertebral disc (IVD) cells in an attempt to further understand the pathophysiologic processes involved in disc degeneration.

Methods

We studied the effect of FGF2 on IVD tissue homeostasis by assessing MMP-13 expression (potent matrix-degrading enzyme), PG accumulation, and PG synthesis in the bovine spine IVD, as well as evaluating whether FGF2 counteracts known anabolic factors such as BMP7. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms by which FGF2 antagonizes BMP7 activity, we also investigated the signaling pathways utilized by FGF2 in bovine disc tissue.

Results

The primary receptor expressed in bovine NP cartilage is FGFR1 and this receptor is upregulated in degenerative human IVD tissue compared to normal IVD tissue. Stimulation of bovine NP cells cultured in monolayer with FGF2 augmented the production of MMP-13 at the transcriptional and translational level in a dose-dependent manner. Stimulation of bovine NP cells cultured in alginate beads for 21 days with FGF2 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in PG accumulation due at least in part to the inhibition of PG synthesis. Further studies demonstrate that FGF2 (10 ng/ml) antagonizes BMP7-mediated acceleration of PG production in bovine NP cells via the upregulation of noggin, an inhibitor of the TGFbeta/BMP signaling pathway. Chemical inhibitor studies showed that FGF2 utilizes the MAPK and NFkappaB pathways to upregulate noggin, serving as one potential mechanism for its anti-anabolic effects.

Conclusion

FGF2 is anti-anabolic in bovine spine disc cells, revealing the potential of FGF2 antagonists as unique biologic treatments for both prevention and reversal of IVD degeneration.