BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is associated with low back and neck pain, but the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis are unclear. In this study, we explored the function of microRNA-149 (miR-149) in inflammatory response mediated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect miRNA and mRNA levels, while Western blotting was utilized to determine protein levels. ELISA was used to examine chemokine production. The correlation between miR-149 and MyD88 was assessed by reporter assay. Apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: miR-149 expression was significantly decreased after LPS exposure in NP cells. Overexpression of miR-149 reversed LPS-induced inhibition in aggrecan and collagen II expression and attenuated LPS-mediated promotion in the levels of MMP3, ADAMTS4, and inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, we found that miR-149 exerted its function by targeting MyD88 in NP cells.

CONCLUSIONS: miR-149 can inhibit the inflammatory response mediated by LPS in NP cells, and might be a potential target for the treatment of IDD.

Keywords: Inflammation Mediators, Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88, Cytokines, Extracellular Matrix, intervertebral disc, intervertebral disc degeneration, Lipopolysaccharides, nucleus pulposus, RNA, Messenger