Comparative Study of the Cytokine Proﬁles of Serum and Tissues from Patients with the Ossiﬁcation of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Biomedicines, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072021 · Published: July 18, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the differences in cytokine profiles between patients with and without ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), a condition leading to spinal cord compression. The research analyzes serum and tissue samples to identify biomarkers associated with OPLL, comparing cytokine levels in both OPLL and non-OPLL groups, as well as between serum and OPLL tissue. The findings reveal potential markers like leptin (in serum) and angiogenin, osteopontin, and osteoprotegerin (in tissue) that are significantly higher in OPLL patients, suggesting their role in the disease.

Study Duration

April 2018 to May 2019

Participants

51 patients (18 cervical OPLL, 33 Non-OPLL controls)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Serum leptin levels are significantly higher in OPLL patients compared to non-OPLL patients, suggesting it may serve as a disease marker.
2
Tissue levels of angiogenin (ANG), osteopontin (OPN), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are significantly higher in the OPLL group compared to the non-OPLL group.
3
Several chemotactic cytokines (MIP1 delta, MCP-1, and RANTES) are found at elevated levels in the serum, while cytokines promoting bone formation are upregulated in OPLL tissue.

Research Summary

The study compares cytokine profiles in serum and tissues of patients with and without OPLL to identify potential biomarkers and understand the mechanisms behind ossification. The research identifies leptin in serum and ANG, OPN, and OPG in tissue as significantly elevated in OPLL patients, indicating their potential roles as disease markers. The findings suggest that OPLL is associated with both systemic inflammation (as indicated by serum cytokines) and local factors in the tissue that promote bone formation and angiogenesis.

Practical Implications

Diagnostic Markers

Serum leptin levels may serve as a diagnostic marker for OPLL.

Therapeutic Targets

ANG, OPN, and OPG could be potential therapeutic targets for preventing or treating OPLL.

Understanding OPLL Mechanism

The balance between inflammation, bone formation, and angiogenesis is crucial in the pathogenesis of OPLL.

Study Limitations

1
Sampling of the tissue could not be uniﬁed due to the circumstances of the surgery.
2
The size of the sample was not equal, and further trimming creates bias for different disease progressions.
3
The patients who were diagnosed with non-OPLL were not completely healthy and may have a certain pathology in their sample

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