Advances in Tissue Engineering Approaches to Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Cells and Polymeric Scaffolds for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration

2011 ◽  
pp. 201-231
Author(s):  
Jeremy J. Mercuri ◽  
Dan T. Simionescu
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Polymeric Scaffolds

scholarly journals Disordered Mechanical Stress and Tissue Engineering Therapies in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Runze Zhao ◽  
Wanqian Liu ◽  
Tingting Xia ◽  
Li Yang
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Annulus Fibrosus ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Body Motion

Low back pain (LBP), commonly induced by intervertebral disc degeneration, is a lumbar disease with worldwide prevalence. However, the mechanism of degeneration remains unclear. The intervertebral disc is a nonvascular organ consisting of three components: Nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and endplate cartilages. The disc is structured to support our body motion and endure persistent external mechanical pressure. Thus, there is a close connection between force and intervertebral discs in LBP. It is well established that with aging, disordered mechanical stress profoundly influences the fate of nucleus pulposus and the alignment of collagen fibers in the annulus fibrosus. These support a new understanding that disordered mechanical stress plays an important role in the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Tissue-engineered regenerative and reparative therapies are being developed for relieving disc degeneration and symptoms of lower back pain. In this paper, we will review the current literature available on the role of disordered mechanical stress in intervertebral disc degeneration, and evaluate the existing tissue engineering treatment strategies of the current therapies.

scholarly journals Expression of miR-195 and its target gene Bcl-2 in human intervertebral disc degeneration and their effects on nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue-Lin Lin ◽  
Zhao-Yun Zheng ◽  
Qing-Shan Zhang ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
You-Zhi An
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Blank Group ◽  
Tnf Α

Abstract Objective To investigate the expression of miR-195 and its target gene Bcl-2 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and its effect on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis. Methods The expressions of miR-195 and Bcl-2 in NP tissues of IVDD patients were quantified by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. NP cells were divided into blank group, TNF-α group, TNF-α + miR-NC group, TNF-α + siBcl-2 group, and TNF-α + miR-195 inhibitors + siBcl-2 group. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) tested by JC-1 staining. Moreover, the function of miR-195 on IVDD in vivo was investigated using a puncture-induced IVDD rat model. Results IVDD patients had significantly increased miR-195 expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in NP tissues. The expression of miR-195 was negatively correlated with the expression of Bcl-2 in IVDD patients. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that Bcl-2 was a target gene of miR-195. In comparison with blank group, TNF-α group showed decreased cell proliferation and MMP, increased cell apoptosis, upregulated expression of miR-195, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3, and downregulated Bcl-2 protein, while these changes were attenuated by miR-195 inhibitors. Additionally, siBcl-2 can reverse the protective effect of miR-195 inhibitors on TNF-α-induced NP cells. Besides, inhibition of miR-195 alleviated IVDD degeneration and NP cell apoptosis in the rat model. Conclusion MiR-195 was significantly upregulated in NP tissues of IVDD patients, and inhibition of miR-195 could protect human NP cells from TNF-α-induced apoptosis via upregulation of Bcl-2.

The Influence of Axial Compression on the Cellular and Mechanical Function of Spinal Tissues; Emphasis on The Nucleus Pulposus and Annulus Fibrosus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John McMorran ◽  
Diane Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Axial Compression ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Annulus Fibrosus ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Mechanical Function

Abstract In light of the correlation between chronic back pain and intervertebral disc degeneration, this literature review seeks to illustrate the importance of the hydraulic response across the nucleus pulposus- annulus fibrosus interface, by synthesizing current information regarding injurious biomechanics of the spine, stemming from axial compression. Damage to vertebrae, endplates, the nucleus pulposus, and the annulus fibrosus, can all arise from axial compression, depending on the segment's posture, the manner in which it is loaded, and the physiological state of tissue. Therefore, this movement pattern was selected to illustrate the importance of the bracing effect of a pressurized nucleus pulposus on the annulus fibrosus, and how injuries interrupting support to the annulus fibrosus may contribute to intervertebral disc degeneration.

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 Expression of ANGPTL4 in Nucleus Pulposus Tissues Is Associated with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Fan-jie Liu ◽  
Liang-yu Xie ◽  
Hua-zhong Li ◽  
Sheng-nan Cao ◽  
Yuan-zhen Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Herniation ◽  
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression

Objective. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), encoding a glycosylated secreted protein, has been reported to be closely related to many kinds of diseases, including diabetes, tumor, and some musculoskeletal pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. The aim of the current study is to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in intervertebral disc degeneration and analyze the association of ANGPTL4 expression with Pfirrmann grades. Methods. A total of 162 nucleus pulposus tissues were collected from lumbar intervertebral disc herniation patients undergoing interforaminal endoscopic surgery. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of ANGPTL4 in nucleus pulposus samples. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the association of ANGPTL4 expression with Pfirrmann grades. Results. Based on the clinical data of 162 patients, results showed that Pfirrmann grades were significantly associated with patients’ age ( r = 0.162 , P = 0.047 ) and were not significantly associated with patients’ gender ( P > 0.05 ). RT-qPCR and western blot results showed that the mRNA ( r = 0.287 , P < 0.05 ) and protein ( r = 0.356 , P < 0.05 ) expressions of ANGPTL4 were both closely associated with Pfirrmann grades. The expression of ANGPTL4 was remarkably increased in the groups of high IVDD Pfirrmann grades. Conclusion. The results demonstrated that ANGPTL4 expression was positively associated with the Pfirrmann grades and the severity of intervertebral disc degeneration. ANGPTL4 may be served as a candidate biomarker for intervertebral disc degeneration.

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