Skip to main content
Fig. 8 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 8

From: Excessive reactive oxygen species are therapeutic targets for intervertebral disc degeneration

Fig. 8

Schematic of relationship between oxidative stress and disc degeneration. Schematic showing positive catabolic feedback loop between excessive ROS and catabolic factors in AF cells. Excessive ROS induced expression of catabolic factors, which are upregulated in the degenerative state, and reduced cartilage ECM aggrecan via the signaling pathways of p38 in AF cells. Conversely, TNFα increased intracellular ROS levels in AF cells through p38, JNK, ERK, and p65. These pathways were neutralized by NAC. COX cyclooxygenase, ERK extracellular signal-regulated kinase, JNK c-Jun N-terminal kinase, MAPK mitogen-activated protein kinase, MMP matrix metalloprotease, NAC N-acetyl cysteine, NF nuclear factor, TNF tumor necrosis factor

Back to article page