Genetic Odyssey to Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Despite numerous studies, the pathogenesis of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is still unclear. Previous genetic studies proposed variations in genes related to bone and collagen as a cause of OPLL. It is unclear whether the upregulations of those genes are the cause of OPLL or an intermediate result of endochondral ossification process. Causal variations may be in the inflammation-related genes supported by clinical and updated genomic studies. OPLL demonstrates features of genetic diseases but can also be induced by mechanical stress by itself. OPLL may be a combination of various diseases that share ossification as a common pathway and can be divided into genetic and idiopathic. The phenotype of OPLL can be divided into continuous (including mixed) and segmental (including localized) based on the histopathology, prognosis, and appearance. Continuous OPLL shows substantial overexpression of osteoblast-specific genes, frequent upper cervical involvement, common progression, and need for surgery, whereas segmental OPLL shows moderate-to-high expression of these genes and is often clinically silent. Genetic OPLL seems to share clinical features with the continuous type, while idiopathic OPLL shares features with the segmental type. Further genomic studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between genetic OPLL and phenotype of OPLL.