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Abstract：
The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest avascular organ of the human body and plays a fundamental role in providing the spine with its unique structural and biomechanical functions. The inner part of the IVD contains the nucleus pulposus (NP), a gel-like tissue characterized by a high content of type II collagen and proteoglycans, which is crucial for the disc\'s load-bearing and shock-absorbing properties. With aging and IVD degeneration (IDD), the NP gradually loses its physiological characteristics, leading to low back pain and additional sequelae. In contrast to surrounding spinal tissues, the NP presents a distinctive embryonic development since it directly derives from the notochord. This review aims to explore the embryology of the NP, emphasizing the pivotal roles of key transcription factors, which guide the differentiation and maintenance of the NP cellular components from the notochord and surrounding sclerotome. Through an understanding of NP development, we sought to investigate the implications of the critical developmental aspects in IVD-related pathologies, such as IDD and the rare malignant chordomas. Moreover, this review discusses the therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, including the novel regenerative approaches leveraging insights from NP development and embryology to potentially guide future treatments.
摘要：
椎间盘（IVD）是人体最大的无血管器官，在为脊柱提供其独特的结构和生物力学功能方面起着重要作用。IVD的内部包含髓核（NP），一种凝胶状组织，其特征是II型胶原蛋白和蛋白聚糖含量高，这对圆盘的承重和减震性能至关重要。随着老化和IVD退化(IDD)，NP逐渐失去其生理特性，导致腰痛和额外的后遗症。与周围的脊髓组织相反，NP表现出独特的胚胎发育，因为它直接来自脊索。这篇综述旨在探讨NP的胚胎学，强调关键转录因子的关键作用，指导来自脊索和周围巩膜组的NP细胞成分的分化和维持。通过对NP发展的理解，我们试图调查关键发展方面在IVD相关病理中的意义，如IDD和罕见的恶性脊索瘤。此外，这篇综述讨论了针对这些途径的治疗策略，包括利用NP发育和胚胎学的见解来指导未来治疗的新型再生方法。
