Association of COL2A and Aggrecan polymorphisms with the susceptibility of intervertebral disc degeneration

Background: To explore the association of COL2A and Aggrecan polymorphisms and the susceptibility of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Methods: IVDD patients (n = 354) in Spinal Surgery department of our hospital between June 2010 and June 2013 were allocated to the case group. Healthy people (n = 310) were allocated to the control group. The distribution frequency of COL2A and Aggrecan were detected by using PCR-RFLP. Haplotype analysis and spearman rank correlation analysis were conducted. Results: Statistical significance was found in COL2A (rs2276454) between case group and control group (both P < 0.05), while no statistical significance was found in rs2070739 (both P > 0.05); subgroup analysis on rs2070739 demonstrated the statistical significance between the male patients and controls (both P < 0.05). Statistical significance was found in VNTR between the two groups (all P < 0.05). The frequency of TTL was significantly lower in case group than in control group; the frequency of CTS, CCS was significantly higher in case group than in control group (all P < 0.05). COL2A (rs2276454) was correlated with Schneiderman level, the number of degenerative segments, herniation type and the number of herniated segments (all P < 0.05); rs2070739 was only correlated with Schneiderman level (P < 0.05); Aggrecan polymorphism (VNTR) was associated with Schneiderman level, the number of degenerative segments and the number of herniated segments (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The COL2A and Aggrecan polymorphisms were associated with the susceptibility of IVDD; TTL, CTS and CCS might be the risk factors of IVDD.