Accumulated Spinal Axial Biomechanical Loading Induces Degeneration in Intervertebral Disc of Mice Lumbar Spine

Objective To investigate the effect of accumulated spinal axial biomechanical loading on mice lumbar disc and the feasibility of applying this method to establish a mice intervertebral disc degeneration model using a custom-made hot plate cage. In previous studies, we observed that the motion pattern of mice was greatly similar to that of humans when they were standing and jumping on their lower limbs. There is little data to demonstrate whether or not accumulated spinal axial biomechanical loading could induce intervertebral disc degeneration invivo. Methods Twenty-four 0-week-old mice were randomly divided into model 1-month and 3-month groups, and control 1-month and 3-month groups (n = 6 per group). The model groups was transferred into the custom-made hot plate cage three times per day for modeling. The control group was kept in a regular cage. The intervertebral disc samples of the L-3-L-5 were harvested for histologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical studies after modeling for 1 and 3months. Results Accumulated spinal axial biomechanical loading affects the histologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical changes of mice L3-L5 intervertebral discs. Decreased height of disc and endplate, fissures of annulus fibrosus, and ossification of cartilage endplate were found in morphological studies. Immunohistochemical studies of the protein level showed a similar expression of type II collagen at 1month, but a slightly decreased expression at 3months, and an increased expression level of type X collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13). Molecular studies showed that ColIIa1 and aggrecan mRNA expression levels were slightly increased at 1month (P > 0.05), but then decreased slightly (P > 0.05). ColXa1, ADAMTS-5, and MMP-13 expression levels werer increased both at 1 and 3months (P < 0.05). In addition, increased expression of Runx2 was observed. Conclusion Accumulated spinal axial loading provided by a custom-made hot plate accelerated mice lumbar disc and especially endplate degeneration. However, this method requires further development to establish a lumbar disc degeneration model.