Novel evidence for the role of monomeric C reactive protein and WISP2 in the modulation of catabolic and inflammatory response in cartilage and intervertebral disc

Abstract

Low back pain and osteoarthritis (OA) are the two main musculoskeletal diseases cause of disability worldwide, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is considered the main cause of low back pain. A sustained inflammatory and catabolic state has been related to the origin and progression of both, OA and IVDD. This research work introduces monomeric C reactive protein (mCRP) pro-inflammatory and catabolic effects in healthy and degenerative human intervertebral disc cells and chondrocytes, suggesting its possible role in the pathophysiology of OA and IVDD. Furthermore, this thesis describes the adipokine WISP2 relevant roles in modulating the turnover of extracellular matrix in cartilage and how its downregulation may detrimentally alter the inflammatory environment in OA joints.