Kyphoplasty is a novel approach treating osteoporotic vertebral
compression fractures and
poly(methyl methacrylate) (
PMMA) is the most common
bone cement used for
kyphoplasty. Cement leaked into an intervertebral disc (IVD) usually causes problems. Herein, we explored the effects of
PMMA particles on the biological behavior of nucleus pulposus cells and proved the inhibiting effect of
PMMA particles in a dose-dependent manner. Besides,
PMMA particles led to cell cycle arrest and the abnormal expression of several apoptosis associated gene. Futhermore, we found
PMMA particles upregulated the expression of p-Mst1/2, p-Lats1, and p-YAP, whereas they downregulated the expression of YAP and CTGF, suggesting the activing effect on the Hippo/YAP/CTGF signaling pathway. By overexpression of YAP,
PMMA-induced nucleus pulposus cell degeneration was reversed. In vivo study also showed that recombinant CTGF
protein could alleviate
PMMA-induced IVD degeneration in rats. To sum up, our study revealed the role of
PMMA particles in inducing IVD degeneration by downregulating CTGF through Hippo/YAP pathway.