The development of spinal stenosis was associated with increased activity of stem cells

Scientists have discovered stem cells, the increased activity of which can contribute to the thickening of ligaments and narrowing of the spinal canal. In experiments on mice, the researchers managed to stop the excessive growth of tissue, but the method of treating humans has yet to be tested. How the found cells and spinal stenosis are related and whether it will be possible to treat the disease without surgery is in the "Izvestia" material.

What cells did the researchers find?

With stenosis, the space inside the spinal canal narrows. One of the reasons may be the thickening of the ligaments: they begin to take up more space and compress the nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, and difficulty walking. According to the authors, lumbar stenosis affects about 103 million people worldwide.

Ligaments connect bones to each other, and tendons attach muscles to bones. Both tissues need cells that support their structure and participate in renewal. However, it took a long time to determine the initial population of such cells: many tendon and ligament cells look similar.

The authors of the new work analyzed thousands of individual cells and identified a rare population capable of reproducing itself and giving rise to mature cells of these tissues. It was first studied in mice, then similar cells were found in samples of human ligaments removed during surgery. The researchers found such cells not only in the spine, but also, in particular, in the patellar ligament and Achilles tendon. This suggested that they play a common role in maintaining tendons and ligaments throughout the body.

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The researchers then compared the tissues of patients with stenosis with samples from people who had undergone surgery for a herniated disc, but who showed no signs of stenosis. There were more new stem cells in the ligaments of patients with stenosis. In addition, after transfer to the experimental model, these cells produced more mature tissue cells than cells from control samples. According to the researchers, this indicates their involvement in the pathological proliferation of ligaments.

Is it possible to stop the growth of ligaments

The scientists also studied the signals regulating the activity of the detected cells. The activity of the calcium signaling mechanism was increased in cells associated with stenosis. When the researchers genetically enhanced it in the cells of healthy ligaments, the tissue began to grow. A decrease in this activity in the mouse model of stenosis, on the contrary, stopped excessive cell growth.

The result provides a direction for the search for drug therapy. The authors admit that in the future it will be possible to study calcium channel blockers, drugs that are already used for high blood pressure. So far, their effectiveness in spinal stenosis in humans has not been proven: this will require clinical studies. The experiment does not mean that such drugs can be taken independently to treat the back.

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Currently, help for stenosis is selected depending on the symptoms. It may include physical therapy and medications to relieve pain; if symptoms persist or severe neurological disorders occur, the doctor may recommend surgery to reduce pressure on the nerves. The new work is devoted to the possible mechanism of the disease development and does not change this practice yet.

The authors intend to find out what role these cells play in other connective tissue diseases and tendon and ligament injuries. In particular, further research may address Achilles tendon injuries and the reasons why some injuries to these tissues do not heal well.