This study was conducted to determine the cellular role of TGF-beta in HNP specimens using immunohistochemistry stain (IHS) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Disc tissues including the nucleus pulposus were collected from 19 patients who underwent disc resection due to radiculopathy. After performing IHS and RT-PCR on the HNP tissues, the correlation between TGF-beta isoform expression and other factors was investigated.

In terms of isoform expression according to HNP types, TGF-beta 1 and- 2 were expressed weakly in the protruded type, whereas TGF-beta 1, - 2, and- 3 were expressed evenly in the extruded and sequestrated types. No significant differences in histological grades and TGF-beta expressions were observed according to the patients' age, sex, degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, sensory and motor nerve involvement, or symptomatic duration. A higher level of TGF-beta expression could be seen on immunohistological staining according to the grade of HNP exposure, and higher expression was also noted according to mRNA level using RT-PCR compared with the extruded and sequestrated types.

However, further studies on differences in TGF-beta isofrom expression to the degree of degeneration are required, TGF-beta participates in wound healing and repair processes after the development of disc tissue damage. A possible application of TGF-beta as a new method for the treatment of HNP is expected.