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Review
. 2013 Sep 25;5(6):582-5.

The roles of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of ossification of ligamentum flavum

Liang Ren  1 , Hongtao Hu, Xianze Sun, Feng Li, Jimmy Jianheng Zhou, Yuan Min Wang
Affiliations
Review

The roles of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of ossification of ligamentum flavum

Liang Ren et al. Am J Transl Res. .

Abstract

Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum (OLF) is associated with serious neurologic symptoms including thoracic myelopathy and spinal stenosis. The pathogenesis of thoracic OLF is mainly due to the localized mechanical stress on the ligament induced enchondral ossification. However, despite numerous epidemiological and basic science studies, the mechanism of this process remains unclear. Studies have suggested that inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, seem to play a crucial role in OLF. In this review, we summarise the mechanistic information on the roles of inflammation cytokines in OLF and discuss about several therapeutic methods for OLF. Further studies on the role of cytokines in OLF should provide important insights into the designation of therapeutic strategies in preventing human spinal stenosis caused by OLF.

Keywords: Ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF); cytokine; pathology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic representation of cytokine and cellular interaction in the tumour-necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent cytokine cascade illustrating the role of TNF in the cytokine network of OLF.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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