Characteristics and potentials of stem cells derived from human degenerated nucleus pulposus: potential for regeneration of the intervertebral disc

Xiao-Chuan Li,Pu-Shan Yang,Jian-Hong Wu,De-Li Wang,Di-Ke Ruan,Yong Tang

doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1567-4

Abstract

BackgroundEliminating the symptoms during treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is only a temporary solution that does not cure the underlying cause. A biological method to treat this disorder may be possible by the newly discovered nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs). However, the uncertain characteristics and potential of NPDCs calls for a comprehensive study.MethodsIn the present study, nucleus pulposus samples were obtained from 5 patients with IVDD undergoing discectomy procedure and NPDCs were harvested using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) by the co-expression of GD2+ and Tie2+. After in vitro expansion, the properties of NPDCs were compared with those of bone marrow mesenchyme stem cells (BMSCs) from the same subjects.ResultsNPDCs performed similar properties in cell colony-forming ability, cell proliferation rate, cell cycle and stem cell gene expression similar to those of BMSCs. In addition, NPDCs could be differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, and are found to be superior in chondrogenesis but inferior in adipocyte differentiation.ConclusionsNPDCs derived from the degenerated intervertebral disc still keep the regeneration ability similar to BMSCs. Besides, the superior capacity in chondrogenesis may provide a promising cell candidate for cell-based regenerative medicine and tissue engineering in IVDD.

Highlights

Eliminating the symptoms during treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is only a temporary solution that does not cure the underlying cause
Hope arises in the discovery of nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs), which may act as a candidate for endogenous repair in NP tissue [16, 17]
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of NP tissues was homogeneous and contained round-shaped cells distributed in different layers. (Fig. 1b)

Summary

Introduction

Eliminating the symptoms during treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is only a temporary solution that does not cure the underlying cause. A biological method to treat this disorder may be possible by the newly discovered nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs). Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has been confirmed as the primary underlying reason strongly associated with lower back pain [2, 3]. The nucleus pulposus (NP) can maintain its homeostasis and strike a balance between damage degeneration and regeneration repair [4]. Hope arises in the discovery of nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs), which may act as a candidate for endogenous repair in NP tissue [16, 17]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion