CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance

Abstract Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition associated with low back pain (LBP). Despite its significant impact, effective diagnostic markers for early-stage IVDD remain elusive. Recent research has implicated ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of pro...

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Main Authors: He Chen, Peng Xu, Leijing Mao, Yicong Wang, Zian Feng, Zhongxin Wang, Cailiang Shen, Yuanhong Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94989-w
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author He Chen
Peng Xu
Leijing Mao
Yicong Wang
Zian Feng
Zhongxin Wang
Cailiang Shen
Yuanhong Xu
author_facet He Chen
Peng Xu
Leijing Mao
Yicong Wang
Zian Feng
Zhongxin Wang
Cailiang Shen
Yuanhong Xu
author_sort He Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition associated with low back pain (LBP). Despite its significant impact, effective diagnostic markers for early-stage IVDD remain elusive. Recent research has implicated ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of programmed cell death, in the pathogenesis of IVDD, particularly involving disturbances in iron homeostasis. Additionally, the CC Chemokine Ligand 3 (CCL3) has been linked to macrophage migration and the progression of IVDD, yet its precise diagnostic and prognostic utility remains uncertain. This study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis and the involvement of CCL3 in IVDD, with the objective of establishing their diagnostic and prognostic significance. By uncovering these mechanisms, novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and prognosis of IVDD may be identified. Single-cell sequencing data were acquired from the TCGA database, and a range of bioinformatics methods were employed for comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, validation experiments were conducted using in vitro techniques, including the analysis of human tissue samples, co-culture assays with neutralizing antibodies, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting. Our findings suggest that CCL3 holds promise as a diagnostic and may was prognostic biomarker for IVDD. Validation experiments demonstrated that CCL3 functions via the pAMPK/AMPK pathway, thereby modulating apoptosis and impacting the progression of IVDD. Our study underscores the diagnostic and prognostic potential of CCL3 in patients with IVDD. Further investigations are warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting CCL3, ultimately enhancing the management of IVDD.
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spelling doaj-art-60affc397a534d44af6cc41fcaf5509c2025-08-20T03:10:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-94989-wCCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significanceHe Chen0Peng Xu1Leijing Mao2Yicong Wang3Zian Feng4Zhongxin Wang5Cailiang Shen6Yuanhong Xu7Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Expanded Program on Immunization, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and PreventionDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityAbstract Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition associated with low back pain (LBP). Despite its significant impact, effective diagnostic markers for early-stage IVDD remain elusive. Recent research has implicated ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of programmed cell death, in the pathogenesis of IVDD, particularly involving disturbances in iron homeostasis. Additionally, the CC Chemokine Ligand 3 (CCL3) has been linked to macrophage migration and the progression of IVDD, yet its precise diagnostic and prognostic utility remains uncertain. This study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis and the involvement of CCL3 in IVDD, with the objective of establishing their diagnostic and prognostic significance. By uncovering these mechanisms, novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and prognosis of IVDD may be identified. Single-cell sequencing data were acquired from the TCGA database, and a range of bioinformatics methods were employed for comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, validation experiments were conducted using in vitro techniques, including the analysis of human tissue samples, co-culture assays with neutralizing antibodies, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting. Our findings suggest that CCL3 holds promise as a diagnostic and may was prognostic biomarker for IVDD. Validation experiments demonstrated that CCL3 functions via the pAMPK/AMPK pathway, thereby modulating apoptosis and impacting the progression of IVDD. Our study underscores the diagnostic and prognostic potential of CCL3 in patients with IVDD. Further investigations are warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting CCL3, ultimately enhancing the management of IVDD.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94989-wIVDDCCL3DiagnosisPrognosisFerroptosis
spellingShingle He Chen
Peng Xu
Leijing Mao
Yicong Wang
Zian Feng
Zhongxin Wang
Cailiang Shen
Yuanhong Xu
CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
Scientific Reports
IVDD
CCL3
Diagnosis
Prognosis
Ferroptosis
title CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
title_full CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
title_fullStr CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
title_full_unstemmed CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
title_short CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
title_sort ccl3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance
topic IVDD
CCL3
Diagnosis
Prognosis
Ferroptosis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94989-w
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