Mechanical Destabilization Induced by Controlled Annular Incision of the Intervertebral Disc Dysregulates Metalloproteinase Expression and Induces Disc Degeneration

Abstract

Lumbar IVDD was reproducibly induced with a 6 × 20 mm(2) annular lesion, with focal dysregulation of MMP gene expression, cell cloning in the inner AF, loss of NP aggrecan, and disc height. Loss of aggrecan from the NP was not attributable to increased proteolysis in the interglobular domain by MMPs or ADAMTS.