A potential role of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the disc degeneration.

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Increased TSLP and phosphorylated NF-kB expressions were observed in HD tissue samples associated with reduced expression of phosphorylated Smad2/3(an indicator of active TGF-βsignaling) and vice versa in posterior lumbar spinal fusion samples. The pharmacological blockade of endogenous TGF-βactivity induced TSLP, but not MCP-1, IL-6 and MMP-3, expression. Endogenous TGF-b activity limits TSLP expression in intervertebral disc tissue in the steady states via suppression of NF-kB. In occurring phase of HD, TSLP production might be induced via NF-kB activation due to lack of endogenous TGF-βactivity by unidentified mechanisms, thereby eventually contributing to natural resorption of HD.