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Jie Du

What was your PhD about? 

"Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects a massive amount of the population and puts a heavy burden on the social and healthcare systems worldwide. It has been widely accepted that intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration plays a significant role in CLBP. In this context, my thesis is aimed to reveal the IVD degeneration processes and propose potential therapeutic routes to halt degeneration and achieve regeneration. (01) A TNF-α induced inflammatory model has been developed on the IVD organ culture system. This model can be used to further elucidate the mechanisms of TNF-α-induced IVD degeneration and screen bioactives for targeting TNF-a inhibition. (02) To induce IVD regeneration, the regenerative potential of BMP-4 has been evaluated. However, the results were unsatisfactory, no generation effect was found in vivo on sheep. (03) To restore the function of the IVD, keeping its structural integrity is essential. AF analogs were explored and evaluated to repair AF defect ex vivo. Our findings demonstrate that the combination of cellular, biomaterial, and bioactive strategies has excellent potential for AF regeneration. (04) In addition, we found that CD146 can potentially be used as a functional marker in AF repair strategies and partly elucidated the underlying signaling pathway of CD146 upregulation by TGF-β in AF cells. (05) Lastly, small molecule retention after intradiscal administration was investigated. Results suggest that drug retention in IVD can be affected by degeneration, and a proper drug release system could prolong drug retention in IVD, which theoretically may improve treatment outcomes."

What is your fondest memory of your time at RMU?  

"The lab cleaning day each year, and the most important thing (BBQ afterward)."  

What are you going to do next?  

"I am leaving for China, to find a postdoc position and stay in academia."