Conditional activation of β‐catenin signaling in mice leads to severe defects in intervertebral disc tissue
Wang M, Tang D, Shu B, Wang B, Jin H, Hao S, Dresser KA, Shen J, Im H, Sampson ER, Rubery PT, Zuscik MJ, Schwarz EM, O'Keefe RJ, Wang Y, Chen D. Conditional activation of β‐catenin signaling in mice leads to severe defects in intervertebral disc tissue. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2012, 64: 2611-2623. PMID: 22422036, PMCID: PMC3632450, DOI: 10.1002/art.34469.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDisc degenerationΒ-cateninDisc tissueExtensive osteophyte formationLow back painDisc tissue samplesIntervertebral disc degenerationPolymerase chain reaction assaysTissue functionBack painReal-time polymerase chain reaction assaysRunt-related transcription factorΒ-catenin protein levelsChain reaction assaysIntervertebral disc tissueOsteophyte formationΒ-catenin levelsImmunohistochemical analysisNormal subjectsMatrix metalloproteinase-13 inhibitorsTransgenic miceHistologic analysisΒ-catenin proteinADAMTS5 expressionGenetic ablation