Interaction of human mesenchymal stem cells with disc cells: changes in extracellular matrix biosynthesis.
METHODS
To evaluate the in vitro interactions between human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and degenerative disc cells.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the potential of MSCs in regulating the extracellular matrix synthesis of degenerative disc cells.


BACKGROUND
Culture of degenerative disc cells followed by their reinsertion into a disc can retard the degeneration process in an animal model. However, harvesting cells without accelerating degeneration is problematic. Autologous MSCs can be safely harvested from the bone marrow and transplanted into degenerative discs.


METHODS
Human degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP), anulus fibrosus (AF) cells, and MSCs were cultured as pellets, and coculture pellets were formed by addition of MSCs to disc cells (50:50 ratio). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content were measured. Proteoglycan synthesis was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot. Type II collagen expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Coculture pellets formed by the addition of MSCs to AF cells were superior in size to all other pellets. AF/MSC pellets showed higher experimental GAG content than the predicted values represented by the sum of individual control pellets, with 10.2 versus 5.6 microg/pellet at week 3, respectively. The effect was not observed in the NP/MSC coculture, or when chondrogenic medium was used. Close contact between cells was necessary to obtain this enhancement of GAG content. Proteoglycan and collagen expression in both individual and coculture pellets was confirmed by PCR analysis and western blot.


CONCLUSIONS
Addition of MSCs to AF cells resulted in an up-regulation of the proteoglycans synthesis. This study provides the rationale for further investigation of the potential of MSC therapy in treating intervertebral disc degeneration.
Le Visage
Catherine
C
Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Kim
Seok Woo
SW
Tateno
Kei
K
Sieber
Ann N
AN
Kostuik
John P
JP
Leong
Kam W
KW
D000328:Adult; D053674:Aggrecans; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D053674:Aggrecans; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA