Supplementary Material for: Lycorine Suppresses Endplate-Chondrocyte Degeneration and Prevents Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Inhibiting NF-κB Signalling Pathway Wang G. Huang K. Dong Y. Chen S. Zhang J. Wang J. Xie Z. Lin X. Fang X. Fan S. 10.6084/m9.figshare.5890867.v1 https://karger.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Supplementary_Material_for_Lycorine_Suppresses_Endplate-Chondrocyte_Degeneration_and_Prevents_Intervertebral_Disc_Degeneration_by_Inhibiting_NF-_B_Signalling_Pathway/5890867 <b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Cartilaginous endplate (CEP) degeneration is an important cause for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration that leads to low-back pain. The identification of compounds that may prevent CEP degeneration is of interest for the prevention of IVD degeneration. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Catabolic protease expression in the CEP of disc degeneration patients was first assessed. The toxicity, function and underlying mechanism of lycorine (LY) on CEP-derived chondrocytes degeneration were assessed <i>in vitro</i> by flow cytometry analysis and western blotting. The concentration and function of LY in rat-tail disc-degeneration models were also assessed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) quantification and histological analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In CEP cells, Interleukin (IL)-1β upregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and ADAMTS-5 that is critical for the degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix. Interestingly, LY suppressed the expression of these enzymes via the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) signalling and thus prevented IL-1β-induced endplate cell degeneration <i>in vitro</i>. More importantly, LY also reduced the expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 in CEP and exerted a protective effect on both CEP and nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration. In addition to its inhibitory effect on matrix-degrading protease expression, LY treatment also reduced positive regulators of proinflammatory cytokines, such as MIF, which can be secreted by CEP cells and subsequently target NP cells. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> LY could serve as a potential drug for treating IVD disease. 2018-02-15 10:37:21 Intervertebral disc degeneration Lycorine Cartilaginous endplate Interleukin-1β Macrophage-inhibitory factor Matrix-degrading protease