title: Defining the phenotype of young healthy nucleus pulposus cells: recommendations of the Spine Research Interest Group at the 2014 annual ORS meeting.
abstract: Low back pain is a major physical and socioeconomic problem. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc and especially that of nucleus pulposus (NP) has been linked to low back pain. In spite of much research focusing on the NP, consensus among the research community is lacking in defining the NP cell phenotype. A consensus agreement will allow easier distinguishing of NP cells from annulus fibrosus (AF) cells and endplate chondrocytes, a better gauge of therapeutic success, and a better guidance of tissue-engineering-based regenerative strategies that attempt to replace lost NP tissue. Most importantly, a clear definition will further the understanding of physiology and function of NP cells, ultimately driving development of novel cell-based therapeutic modalities. The Spine Research Interest Group at the 2014 Annual ORS Meeting in New Orleans convened with the task of compiling a working definition of the NP cell phenotype with hope that a consensus statement will propel disc research forward into the future. Based on evaluation of recent studies describing characteristic NP markers and their physiologic relevance, we make the recommendation of the following healthy NP phenotypic markers: stabilized expression of HIF-1α, GLUT-1, aggrecan/collagen II ratio >20, Shh, Brachyury, KRT18/19, CA12, and CD24.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Makarand V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Risbud
authors.forename: Zachary R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Schoepflin
authors.forename: Fackson
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mwale
authors.forename: Rita A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kandel
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Iatridis
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoyland
mesh_terms: D053674:Aggrecans / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000502:physiology; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010641:Phenotype; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D000098908:Brachyury Protein
chemical_list: D053674:Aggrecans; D015415:Biomarkers; D003094:Collagen; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098908:Brachyury Protein; C509239:SHH protein, human
keywords: cell phenotype; intervertebral disc; nucleus pulposus