Upregulation of MYBL2 could ameliorate senescence of nucleus pulposus cells in degenerative intervertebral discs based on RNA-sequence analysis

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of low back pain and is related to the aging of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). The present study aimed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in senescent NPCs and the key genes that affect the senescence of NPCs.NPCs (control-NPC and IDD-NPC) were separated from the nucleus pulposus tissues of patients diagnosed as graded I and IV. Compared with control-NPC, the viability of IDD-NPC was significantly reduced and degree of senescence was abnormally increased. A total of 494 up-regulated genes and 567 down-regulated genes were screened by RNA-sequencing analysis. And GO enrichment analysis showed DEGs were mainly involved in "cellular response to heparin" terms, KEGG analysis revealed DEGs were mainly enriched in "Phenylalanine metabolism" signaling pathway. By analyzing DEGs related to aging and aging-related pathways and terms, we found cell cycle arrest, finally, we proved overexpression of MYBL2 inhibited the senescence of NPCs. In conclusion, a total of 1061 DEGs were screened from senescent NPCs, among which overexpression of MYBL2 inhibited the senescence of NPCs.