Objective: To look into the characteristic of the expression of collagen type I, II and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in the processes of scoliosis patients.
Methods: The articular processes of 9 IS patients and 10 CS patients were collected. The techniques of HE staining and immunohistochemistry were adopted in this research. The images of immunohistochemistry were analyzed semi-quantitatively.
Results: For collagen type I: The expression at the concave side of the apical vertebrae of both IS and CS patients is significantly higher than that of the convex side, 193 +/- 64 vs 151 +/- 45 and 199 +/- 86 vs 179 +/- 78, P < 0.05, and the apical vertebrae higher than the end vertebrae. In the lower end vertebrae of the IS patients, the expression at the concave side is significantly higher than that of the convex side; and the convex side of the apical vertebrae of IS patients is lower than that of CS patients. For collagen type II: The expression at the concave side in the lower end vertebrae of CS patients is higher than that of convex side; and for both IS and CS patients, the apical vertebrae is higher than the end vertebrae. For TGF-beta(1): The expression at the concave side of the apical vertebrae of both IS and CS patients is significantly higher than that of the convex side, 145 +/- 43 vs 112 +/- 50 and 120 +/- 61 vs 89 +/- 32, P < 0.05. For IS patients, the lower end vertebrae at the concave side is higher than concave side; the apical vertebrae is higher than the end vertebrae. For CS patients, the concave side of the apical vertebrae is higher than the end vertebrae; while for the apical vertebrae, IS patients higher than CS patients.
Conclusion: Articular processes cartilage of the apical vertebrae of scoliosis patients shows degenerative sign. The expression of collagen type I, II and TGF-beta(1) is significantly higher at the concave side and the apical vertebrae of both IS and CS patients. Abnormal press and stress power may play a very important role.