Nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix

The **nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix** is the hydrated, gelatinous matrix at the center of the intervertebral disc, essential for spine flexibility and shock absorption. It consists primarily of water, proteoglycans (notably aggrecan), type II collagen, glycoproteins, and elastin, produced and maintained by nucleus pulposus cells. The ECM provides resistance to compressive forces, maintains structural integrity, and supports specialized cellular phenotypes by mediating mechanical and biochemical cues. Its slow molecular turnover makes it vulnerable to age- and injury-related degeneration, with loss of proteoglycans and collagen, increased matrix-degrading activity (MMPs, ADAMTS), and impaired repair capacity being hallmarks of disc degeneration, which leads to chronic back pain and disability.

Other names

NP extracellular matrixNP ECMnucleus pulposus matrixintervertebral disc nucleus matrix

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