Identification of Key Genes in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Regulated by Acupuncture: An In Vivo Rat Model

In the present study, we established a rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) to investigate the mechanism by which acupuncture attenuates IDD. Acupuncture were performed on IDD model rats for 14 days. RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the intervertebral discs after acupuncture. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the key genes among the DEGs. The expression levels of key genes were examined via QRT‒PCR and immunofluorescence staining. IDD model was confirmed by HE staining. A total of 102 DEGs were identified. These DEGs were enriched in 18 GO MF terms, 13 GO CC terms, 60 GO BP terms and 5 KEGG pathways. Cidec, Retn, Angptl4, and Pdk4 were the key genes among the DEGs. Both QRT‒PCR and immunofluorescence staining revealed that acupuncture increased the expression of Cidec and Retn and decreased that of Angptl4 and Pdk4 in degenerated disc tissues. In conclusion, Cidec, Retn, Angptl4 and Pdk4 play key roles in the response to acupuncture intervention in IDD patients. Acupuncture may ameliorate IDD by decreasing Angptl4 to inhibit inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. The significance of the alteration of Cidec, Retn, Angptl4 and Pdk4 expression in IDD by acupuncture needs further study.