Calreticulin attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation through PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy

Calreticulin (CRT) expression was markedly reduced in degenerated disc tissues, indicating its potential role in intervertebral disc degeneration.

• Lower CRT levels in degenerated discs may contribute to the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).
• Overexpressing CRT could alleviate disc degeneration by inhibiting a specific type of cell death known as pyroptosis and preserving mitochondrial health.
• CRT is associated with enhancing the removal of damaged mitochondria through a process that helps maintain mitochondrial function and reduce cell damage.
• In animal models of IVDD, increased CRT expression resulted in less disc degeneration and better preservation of the disc's structural components.

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