S100A12 as a Shared Inflammatory Driver of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Osteoporosis: A Mendelian Randomization and Experimental Study

Objective: S100A12 as an indispensable molecular components inflammatory cytokines in human physiology. Notably, similar pathological mechanisms involving chronic low-grade inflammation are also observed in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and osteoporosis (OP), making the interplay between these diseases and inflammatory cytokines indisputable. Nevertheless, the precise identity of cytokines that concurrently fuel IVDD and OP remains elusive, hindering targeted therapeutic strategies. Methods: -test for post-hoc comparisons. Finally, cell and human samples were utilized to validate our findings. Results: In our study, positive correlations were found between CXCL10, CXCL6, S100A12, NT-3, uPA, IL7, FLT3L, Caspase 8, TNF, and IL18 levels with IVDD/OP. While, negative correlations were observed with DNER, IL10, SIRT2, OPG, MCP-3, CCL19, SCF, GDNF, MCP-2, CCL25, and CD40L receptor levels. Reverse MR analysis showed no significant associations, indicating unidirectional causal relationships. Notably, S100A12 was identified as a shared positive risk factor influencing both IVDD and OP pathogenesis. Also, the S100A12 was significantly increased in IVDD and OP patients/cells than normal samples. Conclusion: Our study indicates a potential causal relationship that S100A12 exhibiting positive correlations with both IVDD and OP. The results strengthen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IVDD and OP, as well as, provide new treatment strategies for IVDD and OP.