Fibrotic and inflammatory characteristics of epidural fat adjacent to the ossification area in patients with ossification of the ligament flavum

OBJECTIVES: To observe histological and inflammatory characteristics of epidural fat (EF) adjacent to the ossification area in patients with ossification of the thoracic ligament flavum (TOLF) and provide a preliminary research basis for investigating the impact of the EF on OLF. METHODS: Samples of EF and autologous subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) from TOLF patients (n = 26) and non‐TOLF patients (n = 23) were harvested during posterior thoracic spine surgery. Adipocyte size and fibrosis were measured by histology. Vascularization and inflammatory cell infiltration were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Adipogenesis‐related genes were assessed by real‐time quantitative PCR. Conditioned media from cultured EF were evaluated via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to detect the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α), and leptin. The phosphorylated STAT3 protein level in ligament flavum (LF) was examined using Western blot. RESULTS: Adipocytes size in EF was similar between in the TOLF and non‐TOLF groups, but significantly smaller than that from autologous SCAT. Adipogenesis‐related mRNA expression in EF was lower than that in SCAT. More fibrosis and vascularization were found in TOLF than in non‐TOLF. EF in the TOLF group exhibited more macrophages and B lymphocytes infiltrated. The levels of cytokines such as IL‐6, TNF‐α, and leptin secreted by EF were significantly higher in the TOLF group than non‐TOLF. The level of phosphorylated STAT3 in LF was significantly upregulated in the TOLF group. CONCLUSIONS: Morphologically, EF adjacent to the ossification area is smaller and more uniform than autologous SCAT, exhibiting a characteristic similarity to visceral fat. EF in the TOLF group shows a more fibrotic, vascularized, and inflammatory phenotype, which secretes multiple cytokines. The phosphorylated STAT3 protein was significantly upregulated in the TOLF group. Whether these properties of EF directly affect the process of OLF needs to be further explored.