Endplate role in the degenerative disc disease: A brief review

Abstract

The degenerative disease of the intervertebral disc is nowadays an important health problem, which has still not been understood and solved adequately. The vertebral endplate is regarded as one of the vital elements in the structure of the intervertebral disc. Its constituent cells, the chondrocytes in the endplate, may also be involved in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration and their role is central both under physiological and pathological conditions. They main functions include a role in homeostasis of the extracellular environment of the intervertebral disc, metabolic support and nutrition of the discal nucleus and annulus beneath and the preservation of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, it is understandable that the cells in the endplate have been in the centre of research from several viewpoints, such as development, degeneration and growth, reparation and remodelling, as well as treatment strategies. In this article, we briefly review the importance of vertebral endplate, which are often overlooked, in the intervertebral disc degeneration.

Keywords: Intervertebral disc; Endplate; Degenerative disc disease; Chondrocytes; Extracellular matrix

Core Tip: The degenerative disease of the intervertebral disc represents an important health problem worldwide. The endplate chondrocytes are one of the crucial cells involved in the first steps of the disc degeneration process. It is therefore not surprising that the endplate cells have been of significant interest from multiple perspectives, including growth, development, degeneration, remodelling, repair and treatment strategies. The importance of vertebral endplate in the intervertebral disc degeneration is discussed.