title: Biologic strategies for the therapy of intervertebral disc degeneration.
abstract: Recent advances in tissue engineering have led to promising new approaches for the biologic treatment of disc degeneration. At present, there is no effective therapy for disc degeneration, a condition which results in large healthcare and socio-economic costs. This article will examine the current approaches used in biologic therapies for disc degeneration, including cell-based tissue engineering, gene therapy and the application of mesenchymal stem cells, and discuss their therapeutic potential, as demonstrated in animal models and experimental studies to date.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232, USA. helen.gruber@carolinashealthcare.org
authors.forename: Helen E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: Edward N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Hanley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*