Histological observation of a gelatin sponge transplant loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with platelet-rich plasma in repairing an annulus defect.

Xiang Xu,Jianzhong Hu,Hongbin Lu,Chunfeng Zhao

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0171500

Abstract

ObjectiveTo research the histological characteristics of a gelatin sponge transplant loaded with goat BMSCs (bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells) combined with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) in repairing an annulus defect.MethodBMSCs were separated from the iliac crest of goats, sub-cultured and identified after the third generation. Then, PRP was obtained using blood from the jugular vein of goats via two degrees of centrifugation. In the animal experiments, the goats were divided into the following three groups: a sham group, an injury group and a therapeutic group. In the sham group, we decompressed the lamina and exposed the annulus fibrosus. In the injury group, we exposed the annulus fibrosus after decompression of the lamina and created a 1 × 1 cm defect in the annulus using surgical instruments. In the therapeutic group, after decompression of the lamina, we exposed the annulus, created a 1 × 1 cm defect using surgical instruments, and placed a gelatin sponge combined with BMSCs and PRP into the defect for a combined method of repair. Three, six and twelve weeks after the surgery, the previously damaged or undamaged annulus tissue was removed from the three groups. Then, the above tissue was assayed using HE (hematoxylin-eosin) staining, Masson trichrome staining, AB-PAS (Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff) staining, and type II collagen staining and observed by microscopy.ResultsFrom the HE staining, we observed that the number of repair cells gradually increased. Compared to the injury group, the cell density and gross morphology of cells in the therapeutic group were closer to those of the sham group. As observed by Masson trichrome gelatin staining, many of the fibroblast cells or tissues were under repair, and as time progressed, the number of fibroblast cells and amount of tissue gradually increased. The results of the AB-PAS staining suggest that chondrocytes participated in the repair of the annulus. The level of type II collagen gradually increased, as determined by immunohistochemical staining.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that a gelatin sponge transplant loaded with BMSCs and PRP can effectively repair annulus defects.

Highlights

In recent years, the number of patients with lumbar disc herniation has increased each year
Histological observation of Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) transplant on repairing an annulus defect therapeutic group were closer to those of the sham group
Our results demonstrate that a gelatin sponge transplant loaded with BMSCs and PRP can effectively repair annulus defects

Summary

Introduction

The number of patients with lumbar disc herniation has increased each year. Invasive surgery to remove the nerve nucleus and treat lumbar disc herniation can be used to reduce the suffering of these patients [2]. Once the nerve nucleus is removed, the surrounding annulus tissue around the nucleus will be destroyed. Lumbar disc herniation may be recurrent, and the nucleus will project from the damaged annulus and press on the nerve [3,4]. The easiest solution is to suture the annulus injury. Biocompatibility has been very poor; tissue engineering has received much attention in recent years. Tissue engineering in treatment often uses a scaffold, which can achieve good biocompatibility and good degradation. A scaffold can help repair fiber ring damage and can simulate the structure of the fiber ring under normal conditions

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Conclusion