Intervertebral disc and endplate cell characterisation highlights annulus fibrosus cells as the most promising for tissue-specific disc degeneration therapy.

Intervertebral disc and endplate cell characterisation highlights annulus fibrosus cells as the most promising for tissue-specific disc degeneration therapy. Eur Cell Mater. 2020 Mar 03;39:156-170 Authors: De Luca P, Castagnetta M, de Girolamo L, Coco S, Malacarne M, Ragni E, Viganò M, Lugano G, Brayda-Bruno M, Coviello D, Colombini A Abstract Degenerative processes of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and cartilaginous endplate lead to chronic spine pathologies. Several studies speculated on the intrinsic regenerative capacity of degenerated IVD related to the presence of local mesenchymal progenitors. However, a complete characterisation of the resident IVD cell populations, particularly that isolated from the endplate, is lacking. The purpose of the present study was to characterise the gene expression profiles of human nucleus pulposus (NPCs), annulus fibrosus (AFCs) and endplate (EPCs) cells, setting the basis for future studies aimed at identifying the most promising cells for regenerative purposes. Cells isolated from NP, AF and EP were analysed after in vitro expansion for their stemness ability, immunophenotype and gene profiles by large-scale microarray analysis. The three cell populations shared a similar clonogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic potential, as well as an immunophenotype with a pattern resembling that of mesenchymal stem cells. NPCs maintained the greatest chondrogenic potential and shared with EPCs the loss of pr...
Source: European Cells and Materials - Category: Cytology Tags: Eur Cell Mater Source Type: research