Research progress on macrophage polarization during the degeneration process of lumbar intervertebral discs

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2025.09.1229

Abstract

Abstract: During pathological progression of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LIDD), macrophage polarization functions as a critical regulatory mechanism through the dynamic transition between M1 and M2 phenotypes. The distribution of macrophages with distinct phenotypes is related to disease stages and the microenvironment, exerting dual effects by either exacerbating inter-vertebral disc degeneration or promoting its repair. Macrophage polarization significantly influences LIDD primarily by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment of the lumbar intervertebral disc, inducing oxidative stress (OS), altering intervertebral disc cell activity, and regulating the degradation of the intervertebral disc extracellular matrix (ECM).

Key words: lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, macrophage polarization, immune microenvironment

CLC Number:

R681.5

CHEN Wang, LI Xugui, LI Ying. Research progress on macrophage polarization during the degeneration process of lumbar intervertebral discs[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2025, 45(9): 1229-1233.

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