# BIOCHEMISTRY OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 1988 · $99,581

## Abstract

Most experts are convinced that degenerating intervertebral discs are at
the root of many cases of low-back pain.  The intervertebral disc has only
just begun to be studied in detail at the molecular level and is still a
poorly characterized connective tissue.  We propose to characterize in more
detail the collagen of human and animal intervertebral discs using the
latest biochemical techniques.  The emphasis will be an attempt to relate
structure to function.  An important aim is to understand the
characteristic changes in human disc properties with age.  The work on
human discs will focus initially on autopsy specimens of lumbar discs
carefully selected on the basis of histopathological examination to be
typically normal for their age, with no gross lesions.  Rabbit and cow
lumbar discs will also be studied.  Molecular species of collagen will be
mapped quantitatively within the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus,
including the bulk types I and II collagens that are known to be present
and the AlphaA, AlphaB, 1Alpha, 2Alpha, and 3Alpha species which may be
present.  Site-related changes in the distribution of these collagen
species will be correlated with variations in the distribution and
extractability of proteoglycans and non-collagenous proteins, and with
swelling properties of the tissue.  Crosslinking residues of collagen will
be isolated and quantified, including hydroxypyridinium residues, the
mature forms.  Pepsin-solubilized collagen will be fractionated into
individual species, type I, type II, etc., and the level and type of
crosslink in each genetic species and other chemical properties will be
measured.  Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to
fractionate collagen peptides, any alterations in the distribution of
hydroxypyridinium crosslinks with age and location in the disc will be
assessed.  The molecular packing of annulus and nucleus collagen will be
examined by low angle X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy seeking,
for example, age-related changes in hydration.  Discs removed at surgery to
correct scoliosis and other conditions, including spondylolisthesis are on
hand and will continue to be available and will also be studied.  A
collaboration will be initiated with the biomechanics laboratory at Beth
Israel Hospital to relate the visco-elastic shear modulus of disc specimens
with their composition.  In summary, the objective is a better
understanding of the relationship between molecular structure, age-related
degeneration and mechanical failure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157732
- **Project number:** 5R01AR036794-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HD1WMN6945W6
- **Principal Investigator:** David R Eyre
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $99,581
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-01-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157732

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157732, BIOCHEMISTRY OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC (5R01AR036794-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157732. Licensed CC0.

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