TGF-.BETA.s and Receptors in Intervertebral Disk of Senescence-accelerated Mouse.

Temporal and spatial immunolocalization of TGF-βs and their receptors in the intervertebral disk of senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) were examined to determine the biological roles played by TGF-βs and its receptors in the process of degeneration in intervertebral disks. Ten male SAM and to male ICR mice aged 8, 24 or 50 weeks after birth were used for this experiment. Histological and immunohistochemical studies using specific antibodies for TGF-β1, -β2, -β3, TβR-I, and TβR-II were performed. Intervertebral disks of the SAM showed earlier degenerative changes compared with the ICR mice. TGF-β s and TβRs expressed abundantly in the disk of the SAM and ICR mice at 8 weeks of age, and became weaker with aging. Our result suggests TGF-β s may play a role in the growth and maintenance of the intervertebal disk.