Hypertrophic Ligamentum Flavum in Lumbar Spine Stenosis Is Associated With the Increased Expression of Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine.

SPARC was detected in human LF and significantly upregulated in the clinical samples of hypertrophic LF compared to their normal counterparts. We also demonstrated an increased level of SPARC in an in vitro fibrosis model of LF. Thus, SPARC could be a crucial biomarker for the pathogenesis of hypertrophic LF and a therapeutic target for LSS.