Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
Orthopaedic Proceedings Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from Orthopaedic Proceedings

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Visit Orthopaedic Proceedings at:

Loading...

Loading...

Full Access

Spine

MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL DELIVERY WITHIN A THERMALLY TRIGGERED HYDROGEL REGENERATES NUCLEUS PULPOSUS MATRIX FOLLOWING INJECTION INTO DEGENERATE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS TISSUE

The Society for Back Pain Research (SBPR) 2018 Meeting, Groningen, The Netherlands, 15–16 November 2018.



Abstract

Background

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major cause of low back pain (LBP). We have developed an injectable hydrogel (NPgel), which following injection into bovine IVD explants, integrates with IVD tissue and promotes disc cell differentiation of delivered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) without growth factors. Here, we investigated the injection of NPgel+MSCs into IVD explants under degenerate culture conditions.

Methods and Results

The NPgel integrated with bovine and human degenerate Nucleus Pulposus (NP) tissue and hMSCs produced matrix components: aggrecan, collagen type II and chondroitin sulphate in standard and degenerate culture conditions. Significantly increased cellular immunopositivty for aggrecan was observed within native NP cells surrounding the site where NPgel+MSCs were injected (P≤0.05). In NP explants a significant decrease in catabolic factors were observed where NPgel+MSCs was injected in comparison to controls.

Conclusions

In agreement with our previous findings NPgel was sufficient alone to induce NP cell differentiation of MSCs following injection into NP tissue explants. Here, we have shown that viability is maintained even in degenerate conditions. Injection of NPgel with MSCs increased aggrecan expression and reduced MMP3 and IL-1R1 expression by native NP cells. The NPgel with incorporated MSCs has the potential to regenerate the NP and provide mechanical support, whilst reducing the catabolic phenotype of degenerate NP cells, as a treatment strategy for IVD degeneration.

No conflicts of interest

Sources of funding: Funded by ARUK and MRC


Email: