Cyclic tensile stress of human annulus fibrosus cells induces MAPK activation: involvement in proinflammatory gene expression

We have described for the first time the activation of MAPKs in human AF cells in response to CTS and showed that it drives an inflammatory reaction. These observations shed light on the mechanisms of intervertebral disc (IVD) cell responses to mechanical stress, contributing to the understanding of disc pathophysiology and possibly to the design of novel therapeutic interventions.