Journal article
Neuroimmune Activation in a Goat Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Cells (Basel, Switzerland), v 15(3), 286
03 Feb 2026
PMID: 41677649
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) initiates a cascade of structural and biological changes that compromise mechanical function, often leading to chronic pain. While small animal models have provided insight into inflammatory and nociceptive mechanisms of IVDD, translational studies require large animal models that more closely replicate human spine anatomy and physiology. This study induced cervical disc degeneration via intradiscal chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) injection in a large animal model and evaluated the associated disc pathology and neuroinflammatory responses across IVDs and within spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) tissues. Results confirmed structural degeneration at ChABC-injected levels and revealed additional evidence of adjacent segment degeneration. Neuroinflammatory analyses revealed innervation, via deposition of PGP9.5 and NFH, throughout both ChABC-injected and adjacent IVDs. Monocyte markers were significantly increased in ChABC-degenerated IVDs. Across experimental groups, the level of monocyte (Ly6C) and macrophage (CD68) markers correlated with worsened histological scores and with reduced mechanical integrity. Similarly, increased production of the neuropeptide, Substance P, in IVDs was significantly positively correlated with compromised IVD mechanical function. Finally, we observed elevated production of the microglia marker, Iba1, and Substance P production in the spinal cord, with similar trends in DRGs, in degenerative spines. By establishing quantitative relationships between disc pathology, immune responses, and neural activation, this work established possible disease-contributing neuroinflammatory activation and further validated a clinically relevant model for preclinical evaluation of regenerative and therapeutic strategies.
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Details
- Title
- Neuroimmune Activation in a Goat Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
- Creators
- Janai A. Augustin - Veterans Health AdministrationKevin G. Burt - University of PennsylvaniaCaitlin Barrett - Veterans Health AdministrationMatthew Fainor - Veterans Health AdministrationBrianna S. Orozco - Veterans Health AdministrationThomas P. Schaer - University of PennsylvaniaHarvey E. Smith - Veterans Health AdministrationRobert L. Mauck - Veterans Health AdministrationSarah E. Gullbrand - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- Cells (Basel, Switzerland), v 15(3), 286
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Grant note
- NIH/NIAMS R01 AR083007 / National Institutes of Health I01 RX002274; I50 RX004845; IK6 RX003416 / Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service NIH/NIAMS P30 AR069619 / Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001687649600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105029988924
- Other Identifier
- 991022196568804721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Cell Biology