Single‐Cell Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Multicellular Ecosystem of Nucleus Pulposus during Degeneration Progression

• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103631
• Publication Date: 2021-11-26T12:12:45Z
• Authors: Ji Tu; Wentian Li; Sidong Yang; Pengyi Yang; Qi Yan; Shenyu Wang; Kaitao Lai; Xupeng Bai; Cenhao Wu; Wenyuan Ding; Justin Cooper‐White; Ashish Diwan; Cao Yang; Huilin Yang; Jun Zou
• Keywords: Male; Nucleus Pulposus; intervertebral disc degeneration; nucleus pulposus; Science; Gene Expression Profiling; Stem Cells; Q; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Middle Aged; single‐cell RNA sequencing; Humans; Female; Intervertebral Disc; low back pain; Research Articles; Signal Transduction

Although degeneration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) is a major contributor to intervertebral disc (IVDD) and low back pain, underlying molecular complexity cellular heterogeneity remain poorly understood. Here, comprehensive single-cell resolution transcript landscape human NP reported. Six novel cells (NPCs) populations are identified by their distinct signatures. The potential functional differences among NPC subpopulations analyzed. Predictive transcripts, transcriptional factors, signal pathways with respect grades explored. It reported that fibroNPCs subpopulation for end-stage degeneration. CD90+NPCs observed be progenitor in degenerative tissues. NP-infiltrating immune comprise previously unrecognized diversity cell types, including granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor (G-MDSCs). Integrin αM (CD11b) oxidized density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLR1) as surface markers NP-derived G-MDSCs uncovered. found enriched mildly degenerated (grade II III) tissues compared severely IV V) Their immunosuppressive function alleviation effects on NPCs' matrix degradation revealed vitro. Collectively, this study reveals NPC-type phenotypic characteristics NP, thereby providing new insights clues IVDD treatment.