The Expression and Significance of TGF-beta Isoforms in Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the cellular role of TGF- in HNP specimens using immunohistochemistry stain (IHS) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Materials and Methods: Disc tissues including the nucleus pulposus were collected from 19 patients who underwent disc resection due to radiculopathy. After performing IHS and RT-PCR on the HNP tissues, the correlation between TGF- isoform expression and other factors was investigated. Results: In terms of isoform expression according to HNP types, TGF-1 and-2 were expressed weakly in the protruded type, whereas TGF-1,-2, and-3 were expressed evenly in the extruded and sequestrated types. No significant differences in histological grades and TGF- expressions were observed according to the patients'age, sex, degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, sensory and motor nerve involvement, or symptomatic duration. A higher level of TGF- expression could be seen on immunohistological staining according to the grade of HNP exposure, and higher expression was also noted according to mRNA level using RT-PCR compared with the extruded and sequestrated types. Conclusion: However, further studies on differences in TGF- isofrom expression to the degree of degeneration are required, TGF- participates in wound healing and repair processes after the development of disc tissue damage. A possible application of TGF- as a new method for the treatment of HNP is expected.