Research progress on the etiology and pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

Etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a complicated three-dimensional spinal deformity with early-onset, receives continuous attention but remains unclear. To gain an insight into AIS pathogenesis, this review searched PubMed database up to June 2019, using key words or medical subject headings terms including "adolescent idiopathic scoliosis," "scoliosis," "pathogenesis," "etiology," "genetics," "mesenchymal stem cells," and their combinations, summarized existing literatures and categorized the theories or hypothesis into nine aspects. These aspects include bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell studies, genetic studies, tissue analysis, spine biomechanics measurements, neurologic analysis, hormone studies, biochemical analysis, environmental factor analysis, and lifestyle explorations. These categories could be a guidance for further etiology or treatment researches to gain inspiration.

Figure 1

LncAIS interacts with NF90, stabilizing the HOXD8 mRNA and further enhances the transcription of RUNX2, which alters the osteogenic differentiation process of BM-MSCs. BM-MSCs: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; HOXD8: Homeobox D8; LncAIS: Long non-coding AIS (gene symbol: ENST00000453347); NF90: Nuclear factor 90; RUNX2: Runt-Related transcription factor 2.