scholarly journals The nucleus pulposus microenvironment in the intervertebral disc: the fountain of youth?

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 707-738
Author(s):  
J , Guerrero ◽  
◽  
S Häckel ◽  
AS Croft ◽  
S Hoppe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Fountain Of Youth ◽  
And Function ◽  
Ivd Degeneration

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a complex tissue, and its degeneration remains a problem for patients, without significant improvement in treatment strategies. This mostly age-related disease predominantly affects the nucleus pulposus (NP), the central region of the IVD. The NP tissue, and especially its microenvironment, exhibit changes that may be involved at the outset or affect the progression of IVD pathology. The NP tissue microenvironment is unique and can be defined by a variety of specific factors and components characteristic of its physiology and function. NP progenitor cell interactions with their surrounding microenvironment may be a key factor for the regulation of cellular metabolism, phenotype, and stemness. Recently, celltransplantation approaches have been investigated for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, highlighting the need to better understand if and how transplanted cells can give rise to healthy NP tissue. Hence, understanding all the components of the NP microenvironment seems to be critical to better gauge the success and outcomes of approaches for tissue engineering and future clinical applications. Knowledge about the components of the NP microenvironment, how NP progenitor cells interact with them, and how changes in their surroundings can alter their function is summarised. Recent discoveries in NP tissue engineering linked to the microenvironment are also reviewed, meaning how crosstalk within the microenvironment can be adjusted to promote NP regeneration. Associated clinical problems are also considered, connecting bench-to-bedside in the context of IVD degeneration.

scholarly journals A Combinational Approach Using Cell Therapy, Tissue Engineering, and Distracting Device for the Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
G Rasul Chaudhry ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Degenerative Disc Disease ◽  
Organization Structure ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Degenerative Disc ◽  
Vertebral Bodies ◽  
And Function

The Intervertebral Disc (IVD) is a fibrocartilaginous tissue instrumental in spine flexibility, allowing for the bending and twisting motion between vertebral bodies. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) results from the complex and chronic deterioration in IVD organization, structure, and function

scholarly journals Intervertebral disc tissue engineering: A brief review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janja Stergar ◽  
Lidija Gradisnik ◽  
Tomaz Velnar ◽  
Uros Maver
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Biomaterial Scaffolds ◽  
Current Therapies ◽  
Manufacturing Techniques ◽  
And Function ◽  
Ivd Degeneration ◽  
Disk Height

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is associated with low back pain and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. Degeneration of the IVD alters disk height and the mechanics of the spine, leading to chronic segmental spinal instability. The pathophysiology of IVD disease is still not well understood. Current therapies for IDD include conservative and invasive approaches, but none of those treatments are able to restore the disc structure and function. Recently, tissue engineering techniques emerged as a possible approach to treat IDD, by replacing a damaged IVD with scaffolds and appropriate cells. Advances in manufacturing techniques, material processing and development, surface functionalization, drug delivery systems and cell incorporation furthered the development of tissue engineering therapies. In this review, biomaterial scaffolds and cell-based therapies for IVD regeneration are briefly discussed.

Tissue Engineering of the Intervertebral Disc With Cultured Nucleus Pulposus Cells Using Atelocollagen Scaffold and Growth Factors

Spine ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 452-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-Il Lee ◽  
Seong-Hwan Moon ◽  
Hyang Kim ◽  
Un-Hye Kwon ◽  
Ho-Joong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus Cells

scholarly journals The Myth of Fibroid Degeneration in the Canine Intervertebral Disc: A Histopathological Comparison of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Chondrodystrophic and Nonchondrodystrophic Dogs

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 945-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tove Hansen ◽  
Lucas A. Smolders ◽  
Marianna A. Tryfonidou ◽  
Björn P. Meij ◽  
Johannes C. M. Vernooij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Histopathological Changes ◽  
Seminal Work ◽  
Notochordal Cells ◽  
Tissue Changes ◽  
Chondroid Metaplasia ◽  
Ivd Degeneration

Since the seminal work by Hans-Jörgen Hansen in 1952, it has been assumed that intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration in chondrodystrophic (CD) dogs involves chondroid metaplasia of the nucleus pulposus, whereas in nonchondrodystrophic (NCD) dogs, fibrous metaplasia occurs. However, more recent studies suggest that IVD degeneration in NCD and CD dogs is more similar than originally thought. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the histopathology of IVD degeneration in CD and NCD dogs. IVDs with various grades of degeneration (Thompson grade I–III, n = 7 per grade) from both CD and NCD dogs were used (14 CD and 18 NCD dogs, 42 IVDs in total). Sections were scored according to a histological scoring scheme for canine IVD degeneration, including evaluation of the presence of fibrocyte-like cells in the nucleus pulposus. In CD dogs, the macroscopically non-degenerated nucleus pulposus contained mainly chondrocyte-like cells, whereas the non-degenerated nucleus pulposus of NCD dogs mainly contained notochordal cells. The histopathological changes in degenerated discs were similar in CD and NCD dogs and resembled chondroid metaplasia. Fibrocytes were not seen in the nucleus pulposus, indicating that fibrous degeneration of the IVD was not present in any of the evaluated grades of degeneration. In conclusion, intervertebral disc degeneration was characterized by chondroid metaplasia of the nucleus pulposus in both NCD and CD dogs. These results revoke the generally accepted concept that NCD and CD dogs suffer from a different type of IVD degeneration, in veterinary literature often referred to as chondroid or fibroid degeneration, and we suggest that chondroid metaplasia should be used to describe the tissue changes in the IVD in both breed types.

scholarly journals Caspase-3 knockout inhibits intervertebral disc degeneration related to injury but accelerates degeneration related to aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Ohnishi ◽  
Katsuhisa Yamada ◽  
Koji Iwasaki ◽  
Takeru Tsujimoto ◽  
Hideaki Higashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Treatment Target ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Different Types ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Surgical Treatments ◽  
Ivd Degeneration ◽  
Primary Effector

AbstractApproximately 40% of people under 30 and over 90% of people 55 or older suffer from moderate-to-severe levels of degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) disease in their lumbar spines. Surgical treatments are sometimes effective; however, the treatment of back pain related to IVD degeneration is still a challenge; therefore, new treatments are necessary. Apoptosis may be important in IVD degeneration because suppressing cell apoptosis inside the IVD inhibits degeneration. Caspase-3, the primary effector of apoptosis, may be a key treatment target. We analyzed caspase-3’s role in two different types of IVD degeneration using caspase-3 knockout (Casp-3 KO) mice. Casp-3 KO delayed IVD degeneration in the injury-induced model but accelerated it in the age-induced model. Our results suggest that this is due to different pathological mechanisms of these two types of IVD degeneration. Apoptosis was suppressed in the IVD cells of Casp-3 KO mice, but cellular senescence was enhanced. This would explain why the Casp-3 KO was effective against injury-induced, but not age-related, IVD degeneration. Our results suggest that short-term caspase-3 inhibition could be used to treat injury-induced IVD degeneration.

scholarly journals Injectable Hydrogel Combined with Nucleus Pulposus-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Degenerative Intervertebral Disc in Rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Wang ◽  
Li-ping Nan ◽  
Shi-feng Zhou ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Ze-yu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Injectable Hydrogel ◽  
Cell Scaffold ◽  
Ivd Degeneration

Stem cell-based tissue engineering in treating intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is promising. An appropriate cell scaffold can maintain the viability and function of transplanted cells. Injectable hydrogel has the potential to be an appropriate cell scaffold as it can mimic the condition of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) of nucleus pulposus (NP) and provide binding sites for cells. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of injectable hydrogel-loaded NP-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSC) for the treatment of IVD degeneration (IDD) in rats. In this study, we selected injectable 3D-RGD peptide-modified polysaccharide hydrogel as a cell transplantation scaffold. In vitro, the biocompatibility, microstructure, and induced differentiation effect on NPMSC of the hydrogel were studied. In vivo, the regenerative effect of hydrogel-loaded NPMSC on degenerated NP in a rat model was evaluated. The results showed that NPMSC was biocompatible and able to induce differentiation in hydrogel in vivo. The disc height index (almost 87%) and MRI index (3313.83±227.79) of the hydrogel-loaded NPMSC group were significantly higher than those of other groups at 8 weeks after injection. Histological staining and immunofluorescence showed that the hydrogel-loaded NPMSC also partly restored the structure and ECM content of degenerated NP after 8 weeks. Moreover, the hydrogel could support long-term NPMSC survival and decrease cell apoptosis rate of the rat IVD. In conclusion, injectable hydrogel-loaded NPMSC transplantation can delay the level of IDD and promote the regeneration of the degenerative IVD in the rat model.

The pathophysiology of thoracic disc disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Mcinerney ◽  
Perry A. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Thoracic Spine ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Disc Herniations ◽  
Thoracic Disc

Nucleus pulposus herniations are far less common in the thoracic spine than at the cervical and lumbar regions. Traditionally, diagnosis of thoracic disc herniations has been challenging because the signs and symptoms are often subtle early in their course. As a result, delays in diagnoses are common. Because they are uncommon as well as difficult to diagnosis, the neurosurgical community has sparse data on which to base good clinical decision making for the treatment of these herniations. In this review the authors seek to place the phenomenon of thoracic disc disease into the context of its pathophysiology. After a careful evaluation of the available clinical, pathological, and basic science data, a case is made that the cause of nucleus pulposus herniations in the thoracic spine is similar to those occurring in the lumbar and cervical regions. The lower incidence of herniations is ascribed primarily to the reduced allowable flexion at the thoracic level compared with the lumbar and cervical levels. To a lesser extent, the contribution of the ribs to weight-bearing may also play a role. Further review of clinical data suggests that thoracic disc herniations, like herniated cervical and lumbar discs, may be asymptomatic and may respond to conservative therapy. Similarly, good surgery-related results have been reported for herniated thoracic discs, despite the more challenging nature of the surgical procedure. The authors conclude that treatment strategies for thoracic disc herniations may logically and appropriately follow those commonly used for the cervical and lumbar levels.

scholarly journals Inflammation in intervertebral disc degeneration and regeneration

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (104) ◽  
pp. 20141191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Molinos ◽  
Catarina R. Almeida ◽  
Joana Caldeira ◽  
Carla Cunha ◽  
Raquel M. Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Discogenic Pain ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Remodelling ◽  
Ivd Degeneration ◽  
Regenerative Therapies

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the major causes of low back pain, a problem with a heavy economic burden, which has been increasing in prevalence as populations age. Deeper knowledge of the complex spatial and temporal orchestration of cellular interactions and extracellular matrix remodelling is critical to improve current IVD therapies, which have so far proved unsatisfactory. Inflammation has been correlated with degenerative disc disease but its role in discogenic pain and hernia regression remains controversial. The inflammatory response may be involved in the onset of disease, but it is also crucial in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Furthermore, if properly balanced it may contribute to tissue repair/regeneration as has already been demonstrated in other tissues. In this review, we focus on how inflammation has been associated with IVD degeneration by describing observational and in vitro studies as well as in vivo animal models. Finally, we provide an overview of IVD regenerative therapies that target key inflammatory players.

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