title: Cellular therapy for disc degeneration.
abstract: METHODS
  Review article regarding the developing field of cellular therapies for symptomatic disc degeneration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the rationale and discuss the results of cellular strategies that have been proposed or investigated for disc degeneration.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Disc degeneration is a substantial clinical problem. Disc degeneration begins with a loss of disc cells and alterations in the extracellular matrix of the disc. One promising approach for this problem involves the use of cells transplanted to the degenerative disc to achieve functional tissue repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rationale for using cellular therapy for disc degeneration is discussed. The basic science studies involving cellular transplantation to the disc are reviewed and future directions of this line of research are discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although substantial work remains, the future of cellular therapies for symptomatic disc degeneration appears promising.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continued research is warranted to further define the optimal cell type, scaffolds, and adjuvants that will allow successful disc repair in human patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. greg.anderson@rothmaninstitute.com
authors.forename: David Greg
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Makarand
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Risbud
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wuisman
authors.forename: Hans-Jorg
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Meisel
authors.forename: Chadi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tannoury
authors.forename: Irving
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Alexander R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods