Regeneration of intervertebral discs in a rat disc degeneration model by implanted adipose-tissue-derived stromal cells.
BACKGROUND
Because adipose-tissue-derived stromal cell (ADSC) is readily accessible and abundant in stem cell, ADSC may be a better candidate for cell therapy and tissue engineering. This study investigated the potential of ADSC implantation to restore disc in a rat IVD model.


METHODS
The first coccygeal disc segments of a Sprague-Dawley rat was left undamaged as a control (NC) group, and other two segments were damaged by needle injection. Two weeks later, ADSCs (TS) group or saline (IN) group was transplanted into each of the two damaged segments.


RESULTS
At 6 weeks after transplantation, the TS group showed a significantly smaller reduction in disc height than the IN group and exhibited a restoration of MRI signal intensity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a greater restoration of the inner annulus structure in the TS group. Anti-Human Nucleic Antibody, collagen type II, and aggrecan, staining showed positive findings at 2 weeks after transplantation in TS group.


CONCLUSIONS
ADSCs show potential for restoring degenerative discs and may prove effective in the treatment of IVD.
Jeong
Je Hoon
JH
Department of Neurological surgery, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Jung Hwan
JH
Jin
Eun Sun
ES
Min
Joong Kee
JK
Jeon
Sang Ryong
SR
Choi
Kyoung Hyo
KH
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation