title: Cell-based therapy for disc repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most promising therapies for symptomatic disc degeneration involves the implantation of therapeutic cells into the degenerative disc.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this article, the rationale and approaches for cell-based tissue engineering of the intervertebral disc are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The scientific literature related to cell-based tissue engineering of the intervertebral disc is reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A variety of cell types have been used in various research models to affect matrix repair of the intervertebral disc. The use of cellular scaffolds and growth factors or genes also appears promising for achieving meaningful tissue repair of the intervertebral disc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Disc tissue engineering is a promising approach for achieving repair of the intervertebral disc. Using cell-based approaches, various research models suggest that improvements in the complex matrix of the disc may be achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A cell-based approach to repair of the intervertebral disc appears promising. More research is needed to define the optimal cell type, cellular scaffold and mixture of growth factors that may allow meaningful repair of the human symptomatic degenerative disc.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. greg.anderson@rothmaninstitue.com
authors.forename: D Greg
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Makarand V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Risbud
authors.forename: Irving M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Alexander R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting