Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Protein found in Zebrafish can regenerate aged discs in human backbone

A protein found in the backbone of zebrafish that plays a positive role in disc maintenance and promotes regeneration in aged discs between vertebrae can have potential therapeutic implications to promote regeneration in degenerated human discs.

Human discs gradually deteriorate over time, which can cause a variety of linked health issues, including neck, low back, and appendage discomfort. Only symptomatic therapies, such as painkillers or anti-inflammatories, are offered for disc degeneration at the moment, reads a ministry of science and technology press release.

Surgery to replace the disc or fuse the disc is done in extreme situations. Therefore, a medicine that can either prevent disc degeneration or encourage disc regeneration in people must be developed immediately. Medical exams have shed light on the stages of human disc degeneration, but little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in disc preservation. The fact that no medical methods or treatments have been discovered to stop disc degeneration or stimulate disc regeneration is most essential.

A study by Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, discovered that a protein called Cellular communication network factor 2a (Ccn2a) secreted from intervertebral disc cells induces disc regeneration in aged degenerated discs by promoting cell proliferation and cell survival by modulating the pathway called the FGFR1-SHH (Fibroblast growth factor receptor-Sonic Hedgehog) pathway.

The first in vivo study demonstrating that disc regeneration can be induced in a deteriorated disc by activating an endogenous signalling cascade uses zebrafish as a model organism.

The scientists also found that the Ccn2a-FGFR1-SHH signaling cascade takes a positive role in disc maintenance and augmenting disc regeneration. The work, which was published in the journal Development, employed genetic and biochemical techniques and is likely to contribute to the development of a fresh method for regenerating damaged human discs.

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