122. Cartilage derived stem cells: a novel cellular replacement therapy to treat degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) involves the loss of viable cells and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the avascular, ischemic and hypoxic intervertebral disc (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP). We have previously demonstrated that injection of a molecular therapeutic (NTG-101) containing TGF- β1 and CTGF can mediate the progression of DDD in a rat and canine model. However, patients suffering from more advanced degenerative disc may require cellular replacement. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) originate from a highly vascularized and immune competent niche but are inco mpatible with the harsh IVD NP environment.
Source: The Spine Journal - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Source Type: research