Matrix Metalloproteinases in Cervical Intervertebral Discs: A Comparison of Image-Indicated Disease Symptoms and the Manifestation of Matrix Metalloproteinases

We report the study of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cervical intervertebral discs, immunohistochemically, and by comparing the manifestation of MMPs with X ray-based side views and MRI visual imaging. We analyzed intervetebral disc tissue samples from 20 patients who had undergone surgery for herniation of their cervical intervertebral discs and cervical spondylosis-related myelosis. The patient age at surgery ranged from 22 to 68 years, with an average of 45.7 years. Eighteen of the patients were males and two were females. Immunostaining for MMPs was performed on frozen sections of the tissues to classify the samples based on the number of immunopositive cells. MMP levels in the resected tissues were also quantified by western blotting and densitometry. The concentrations were compared with the visual imaging of the discs. X ray-based side view images revealed a high ratio of MMPs, due to an increase in osteophytes. Further, when low intensities were observed by MRI, and also when the protrusion of intervertebral discs was substantial, MMP levels were considerable. Together, these results implicate MMPs in the metamorphosis of cervical intervertebral discs, and that the metamorphosis is strongly correlated with changes in MRI and X ray-based side view imaging.