Inflammaging in the intervertebral disc

Systemic inflammation

With technical advancements in the cost-effective analysis of proteins, clinicians and researchers have become increasingly interested in the identification of biomarkers in the biological fluids of patients, predominantly blood. Biomarkers can be of tremendous value not only in early detection of diseases and prognosis, but also in management and monitoring.

Studies investigating serum samples demonstrated an age-dependent increase in numerous inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), supporting the notion of age-associated chronic, low-grade inflammation and hence inflammaging. ^20,21 Interestingly, a meta-analysis of eight studies, including 263 subjects with IVD degeneration (bulging, protrusion or sequestration) and 129 healthy controls, demonstrated an association between IL-6 serum levels and the occurrence of IVD degeneration, with higher levels in those affected. ²² Recent work by Weber et al. not only confirmed that serum IL-6 correlated with age but also highlighted that levels were significantly higher in subjects with LBP arising from disc herniation (DH), DDD or spinal stenosis, compared with non-affected controls. ²³ As participants were controlled for age during recruitment, these findings point towards a general presence of inflammaging, but with disease-specific alterations in the cytokine expression patterns. Furthermore, higher IL-6 serum levels were reported as an indicator of inferior recovery in patients with lumbar radicular pain due to lumbar DH over the course of 1 year, as demonstrated by the Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale. ²⁴ Aside from IL-6, IL-8 has also been suggested as a potential biomarker in DH and the level of associated pain, but possibly also in DDD without the occurrence of IVD protrusion. ^25,26

In summary, these results indicate that systemic inflammation not only represents a link between ageing and IVD pathology, but also disc-related LBP.

Local inflammation

Past research has provided ample evidence for the expression of inflammatory mediators in the IVD, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), ^27,28 partially with an age- and degeneration-dependent expression profile. ^29–31 Importantly, invading cells of the immune system, for example, in case of herniation, can produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. IVD cells themselves are also a source of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with some differences between NP and AF cells, for example, with regard to IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α. ^8,31,32

Several of these inflammatory mediators are major pathological markers, with higher levels in “diseased” IVDs. Higher levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were measured in DDD samples compared to DH samples and this likely contributes to more severe back pain commonly observed in DDD patients. ³³ On the other hand, DH samples – which are characterized by enhanced macrophage infiltration and rare lymphocyte infiltration – possess higher levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-γ than DDD samples. ³²

The presence of these inflammatory mediators not only aggravates IVD degeneration, for example, by inducing the expression of matrix degrading enzymes, by enhancing cellular senescence, as well as by inhibiting extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, ^28,30,34,35 but also plays a crucial role in pain development. In fact, there is clear evidence that a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines are upregulated in patients with higher pain sensation (such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ ^36–39 ) – albeit with differences between studies likely associated with patient selection and consequent dissimilarities in pathology inclusion criteria.

The mechanisms of cytokine-induced pain sensation are complex. ^27,40,41 During DH, pain sensation can be due to mechanochemical irritation of spinal nerves caused by the inflammatory nature of the extruded NP material (radiculopathy) and/or nerve infiltration into the compromised disc (nociception). In cases of DDD, LBP develops through newly invading nociceptive nerve fibers, either via nociceptive or neuropathic mechanisms. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines also induce immune cell infiltration into degenerated IVDs and these cells further aggravate the inflammatory status. Additionally, resident and infiltrating cells release neurogenic factors that not only facilitate nerve ingrowth into the IVD, but also induce the expression of pain-associated cation channels in the dorsal root ganglion (e.g. ASIC3, TRPV1).

Senescence

Senescence is the biological ageing of cells that is associated with a cessation in cell division, yet continuous metabolic activity. Numerous methods and markers are used to identify senescent cells, ranging from senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining over telomeres shortening to induction in the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16INK4a or p21(Waf1/Cip1). Using these techniques, senescent cells were shown to accumulate during IVD ageing and specifically in degenerated and herniated IVDs. ^{42 –45}

Two general forms of senescence exist, typically termed as (telomere-dependent) replicative senescence and stress-induced premature senescence, and both can be present in the IVD cells. ^46,47 Both types of senescence share similar phenotypic features, including a shift towards an immunogenic phenotype. This phenotype is generally known as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and is characterized by a pro-inflammatory secretome (the collection of proteins secreted by a cell), with enhanced expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-γ in IVD cells. ⁴⁸ Furthermore, senescent cells are responsible for enhanced catabolism and ECM degradation through stimulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -1, -2, -3, -9, and -13. ^44,48 Therefore, senescence is likely an important contributor to premature disc ageing and inflammaging (Figure 1). ^44,49

Mechanical loading

The IVD is a mechanically complex tissue, in which hydrostatic pressure/compression and osmotic stresses predominate in the NP and tensile and shear stresses preside in AF. IVD cells have been shown to respond to mechanical stresses in a dose-, frequency-, duration- and zone-specific manner. ^15,50,51 Moderate physiological levels of stress produce anabolic responses, whereas hyper-physiological stresses not only bias towards catabolism and reduced viability, but also induce inflammation. ^{52 –58}

Importantly, ageing and consequent degeneration alter the load distribution in IVDs and result in higher compressive axial and tensile radial strains. ⁵⁹ Areas of peak stresses hence exist within degenerated IVDs. Cells located in these regions will experience disproportionally high loads during normal physiological activities, hence responding with catabolism and inflammation rather than anabolism (Figure 1). In fact, previous research has demonstrated that cellular responses to physical stress are graded by the degree of tissue degeneration. ⁵⁵ Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, a family of multimodal cation channels, may represent a molecular link between mechanical loading and inflammation in the IVD. TRP channels, which have been described to play a crucial role not only in mechanosensing, but also in transmission of inflammation and pain, have recently been detected in the IVD. ^8,60,61 The mechanism of locally altered load distribution, together with potentially altered mechanotransduction mechanisms (e.g. vial-altered TRP channel expression with ageing and degeneration), ⁸ helps to rationalize why mechanical loading originating from normal daily activities may result in low-grade inflammation in ageing IVDs.

Matrix degradation

Age-associated degeneration of the IVD is characterized by degradation of the ECM, leading to a decrease not only in total proteoglycan and collagen content, but also in altered expression and synthesis of other matrix compontents. ^62,63 Specific enzymes, for example, reactive oxygen species, can induce fragmentation of these ECM proteins. A number of these fragments have been described to be biologically active and some possess inflammatory properties (Figure 1). In fact, fragments of hyaluronic acid were already shown to induce catabolic and inflammatory responses in IVD cells. ⁶⁴

Aside from hyaluronic acid fragments, additional matrix cleavage products occurring during ageing and degeneration of the IVD may contribute to IVD inflammaging, albeit likely in a size-specific manner. Fragmentation of the small, leucine-rich proteoglycan biglycan takes place in pathological human IVDs ⁶⁵ and these fragments were shown to induce pro-inflammatory processes in, for example, macrophages. ^66,67 Our own unpublished data indicate that fibronectin fragments – which are present in degenerating IVDs ^68,69 – also induce inflammation in IVD cells, similar to numerous other cell types. ⁷⁰ Other possible fragmentation products that may play a role in mediating IVD inflammaging include those of versican, decorin, elastin or laminin. ^67,71,72

Bacterial infection

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) infection is one of the hypothesized causes of the development of chronic, low-grade IVD infection and Modic changes. ⁷³ Due to IVD ageing and altered IVD biomechanics, clefts and tears occurring in the outer layer of the AF promote neovascularization and allow for easier bacterial invasion. Importantly, this new microenvironment can enhance the growth of anaerobic bacteria. ⁷⁴

Previously, bacterial infection with, for example, P. acnes was believed to arise from epidural injections and contaminations during surgeries or tissue collection. ⁷⁵ However, recent studies were able to demonstrate that an infection with P. acnes is likely independent of these factors. ^{76 –79}

Although P. acnes infection is associated with chronic inflammation in IVDs (Figure 1), with stimulation of various pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, TNF-α), ⁸⁰ the exact mechanism of inflammation induction remains unknown. However, recent evidences point towards activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4, and subsequent induction of the NF-kB pathway. ^80,81

Obesity

Obesity is linked not only to a large number of comorbidities, including a significant association with the incidence of type II diabetes, various types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma or osteoarthritis, ^82,83 but also with the development of disc degeneration and chronic back pain. ^84,85 A recent meta-analysis calculated that the risk of LBP increased by approximately two fold in obese patients, but with a relatively weak statistical association (odds ratio 1.8). ⁸⁶ Interestingly, when patient selection criteria were tightened, focusing solely on morbidly obese people (body mass index >40), the prevalence of LBP was significantly higher in the obese group compared to a control group with normal weight, ⁸⁷ demonstrating that relevant weight thresholds may exist. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism leading to disc degeneration, DDD and LBP in obese patients is believed to be three fold.

Firstly, increased mechanical loading originating from the excessive body weight in obese patients is thought to contribute to reduced disc height (i.e. disc space narrowing), increased severity of disc degeneration and a higher number of degenerated levels in the lumbar spine. ^{88 –90} As described above, alterations in the loading patterns, especially in case of coexisting degeneration of the IVD, can lead to inflammatory responses and may play a part in the observed interrelationship between obesity, disc height and recent pain. ⁸⁸

Secondly, overweight or obese patients may have a higher prevalence of LBP due to enhanced systemic expression of fat-derived inflammatory mediators. Adipocytes can produce cytokines, especially with ageing, when they undergo a phenotypic shift towards a SASP, resulting in enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, including leptin. ^{91 –93} Leptin is a noteworthy adipokine as its expression levels are not only associated with body fat content, ⁹⁴ but also with pain levels or pain sensitivity ⁹⁵ such as osteoarthritic pain or neuropathic pain. ^{96 –98} Systemic leptin is hence discussed as a biomarker for pain prediction in various pathologies ^95,99,100 and a first study published recently highlighted its potential application in predicting the duration of LBP. ¹⁰¹

Thirdly, atherosclerosis or high serum lipid levels may have a negative impact on IVD nutrition by impairing the diffusion of nutrients through the adjacent vertebrae into the IVD. ¹⁰² Interestingly, high cholesterol not only leads to an accumulation of fat in endplates and vertebral bodies as recently described by Sasani et al., but also results in a higher prevalence of disc degeneration ¹⁰³ – likely due to nutritional deficits. ¹⁰⁴

In summary, the biomechanical and biological consequences of obesity seem to contribute to IVD inflammaging (Figure 1). When taking into account that the prevalence of obesity has almost doubled over the past 30 years, this mechanism is likely to gain increasing importance in the years and decades to come. ¹⁰⁵