[Cells culture of human lumbar disc and its morphological observation].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the continuous changes of disc cells, and explore the degeneration influenced by the cell effects.


METHODS
Three discs were obtained from three human embryos and one was from a healthy adult. They were dissected and were digested with trypsin and collagenase. The isolated cells were cultured in HAM F-12 medium and 10% fetal bovine serum. The cultured cells were refrigerated and revived for observation under light microscope and TEM.


RESULTS
The biological characteristics of the primary and the second generation of the disc cells were similar to those of the cells in vivo. After subculture, notochordal cells and chondrocytes were shown the characteristics of dedifferentiation. The metabolism of the revived cells after refrigeration was normal. The structures of the organellae in disc cells varied with the changes of cell biological characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
This successful model is useful for the study of biology and pharmacology of human disc cells.
Liu
Y
Y
Laboratory of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003.
Hu
Y
Y
Lu
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure