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Effects of Changes in Osmolarity on the Biological Activity of Human Normal Nucleus Pulposus Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:1121064. [PMID: 35502327 PMCID: PMC9056247 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1121064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The expansion and maintenance of the NPMSC (nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cell) phenotype are considered as potential therapeutic tools for clinical applications in intervertebral disc tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the harsh microenvironment within the intervertebral disc is the main limitation of its regeneration. The osmolarity of the intervertebral disc is higher than that of other tissues, which has an important influence on the biological characteristics of NPMSCs. In this study, we observed the effect of different osmolarities on the biological characteristics of human normal NPMSCs cultured in vitro and explored the role of osmolarity in intervertebral disc degeneration. Our data demonstrated that the change in osmotic pressure has an important effect on the biological activity of NPMSCs, and this effect may occur through the P16INK4A/Rb pathway. This study provides a theoretical basis for the future treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
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Overexpression of Aquaporin-3 Alleviates Hyperosmolarity-Induced Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis via Regulating the ERK1/2 Pathway. Pain Res Manag 2022; 2022:1639560. [PMID: 35437455 PMCID: PMC9013301 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1639560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is closely related to osmolarity, which fluctuates with daily activities, and hyperosmolarity may be a contributor to nucleus pulposus (NP) cells apoptosis. Aquaporin-3 (AQP-3) belongs to the family of aquaporins and mainly transports water and other small molecular proteins, which is reduced with the aging of the intervertebral disc. ERK1/2 pathway is one type of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and is associated with cellular apoptosis. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of AQP-3 on NP cells apoptosis induced by a hyperosmolarity and focused on the role of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. We found that NP apoptosis could be induced by hyperosmolarity (550 mOsm/kg), and downregulation of AQP-3 and inhibition of ERK1/2 could be simultaneously observed. Therefore, lentivirus was used to enhance the expression of AQP-3 to compare apoptosis between AQP-3-overexpressed NP cells and the control NP cells. The results showed that apoptosis could be alleviated by overexpression of AQP-3 and the activity of ERK1/2 could also be promoted. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitor U0126 could partly aggravate apoptosis of the AQP-3-overexpressed NP cells. In summary, our results suggested that overexpression of AQP-3 could protect against hyperosmolarity-induced NP cell apoptosis via promoting the activity of the ERK1/2 pathway. This study may shed light on a better understanding of the pathologic mechanism of IDD and bring AQP-3 into the therapeutic approaches for IDD treatment.
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Melatonin Suppresses Apoptosis of Nucleus Pulposus Cells through Inhibiting Autophagy via the PI3K/Akt Pathway in a High-Glucose Culture. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:4604258. [PMID: 34660789 PMCID: PMC8519679 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4604258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus- (DM-) associated hyperglycemia promotes apoptosis of disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, which is a contributor to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Melatonin is able to protect against cell apoptosis. However, its effects on apoptosis of NP cell in a high-glucose culture remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects and molecular mechanism of melatonin on NP cell apoptosis in a high-glucose culture. NP cells were cultured in the baseline medium supplemented with a high-glucose concentration (0.2 M) for 3 days. The control cells were only cultured in the baseline medium. Additionally, the pharmaceutical inhibitor LY294002 was added along with the culture medium to investigate the possible role of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Apoptosis, autophagy, and activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway of NP cells among these groups were evaluated. Compared with the control NP cells, high glucose significantly increased cell apoptosis ratio and caspase-3/caspase-9 activity and decreased mRNA expression of Bcl-2, whereas it increased mRNA or protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, and autophagy-related molecules (Atg3, Atg5, Beclin-1, and LC3-II) and decreased protein expression of p-Akt compared with the control cells. Additionally, melatonin partly inhibited the effects of high glucose on those parameters of cell apoptosis, autophagy, and activation of PI3K/Akt. In conclusion, melatonin attenuates apoptosis of NP cells through inhibiting the excessive autophagy via the PI3K/Akt pathway in a high-glucose culture. This study provides new theoretical basis of the protective effects of melatonin against disc degeneration in a DM patient.
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McDonnell EE, Buckley CT. Investigating the physiological relevance of ex vivo disc organ culture nutrient microenvironments using in silico modeling and experimental validation. JOR Spine 2021; 4:e1141. [PMID: 34337330 PMCID: PMC8313156 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ex vivo disc organ culture systems have become a valuable tool for the development and pre-clinical testing of potential intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration strategies. Bovine caudal discs have been widely selected due to their large availability and comparability to human IVDs in terms of size and biochemical composition. However, despite their extensive use, it remains to be elucidated whether their nutrient microenvironment is comparable to human degeneration. AIMS This work aims to create the first experimentally validated in silico model which can be used to predict and characterize the metabolite concentrations within ex vivo culture systems. MATERIALS & METHODS Finite element models of cultured discs governed by previously established coupled reaction-diffusion equations were created using COMSOL Multiphysics. Experimental validation was performed by measuring oxygen, glucose and pH levels within discs cultured for 7 days, in a static compression bioreactor. RESULTS The in silico model was successfully validated through good agreement between the predicted and experimentally measured concentrations. For an ex vivo organ cultured in high glucose medium (4.5 g/L or 25 mM) and normoxia, a larger bovine caudal disc (Cd1-2 to Cd3-4) had a central concentration of ~2.6 %O2, ~8 mM of glucose and a pH value of 6.7, while the smallest caudal discs investigated (Cd6-7 and Cd7-8), had a central concentration of ~6.5 %O2, ~12 mM of glucose and a pH value of 6.9. DISCUSSION This work advances the knowledge of ex vivo disc culture microenvironments and highlights a critical need for optimization and standardization of culturing conditions. CONCLUSION Ultimately, for assessment of cell-based therapies and successful clinical translation based on nutritional demands, it is imperative that the critical metabolite values within organ cultures (minimum glucose, oxygen and pH values) are physiologically relevant and comparable to the stages of human degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. McDonnell
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College DublinThe University of DublinDublinIreland
- Discipline of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College DublinThe University of DublinDublinIreland
| | - Conor T. Buckley
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College DublinThe University of DublinDublinIreland
- Discipline of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College DublinThe University of DublinDublinIreland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College DublinThe University of DublinDublinIreland
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Regenerative MedicineRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
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Baumgartner L, Wuertz-Kozak K, Le Maitre CL, Wignall F, Richardson SM, Hoyland J, Ruiz Wills C, González Ballester MA, Neidlin M, Alexopoulos LG, Noailly J. Multiscale Regulation of the Intervertebral Disc: Achievements in Experimental, In Silico, and Regenerative Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E703. [PMID: 33445782 PMCID: PMC7828304 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major risk factor of low back pain. It is defined by a progressive loss of the IVD structure and functionality, leading to severe impairments with restricted treatment options due to the highly demanding mechanical exposure of the IVD. Degenerative changes in the IVD usually increase with age but at an accelerated rate in some individuals. To understand the initiation and progression of this disease, it is crucial to identify key top-down and bottom-up regulations' processes, across the cell, tissue, and organ levels, in health and disease. Owing to unremitting investigation of experimental research, the comprehension of detailed cell signaling pathways and their effect on matrix turnover significantly rose. Likewise, in silico research substantially contributed to a holistic understanding of spatiotemporal effects and complex, multifactorial interactions within the IVD. Together with important achievements in the research of biomaterials, manifold promising approaches for regenerative treatment options were presented over the last years. This review provides an integrative analysis of the current knowledge about (1) the multiscale function and regulation of the IVD in health and disease, (2) the possible regenerative strategies, and (3) the in silico models that shall eventually support the development of advanced therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Baumgartner
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.R.W.); (M.A.G.B.)
| | - Karin Wuertz-Kozak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, NY 14623, USA;
- Schön Clinic Munich Harlaching, Spine Center, Academic Teaching Hospital and Spine Research Institute of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (Austria), 81547 Munich, Germany
| | - Christine L. Le Maitre
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
| | - Francis Wignall
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (F.W.); (S.M.R.); (J.H.)
| | - Stephen M. Richardson
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (F.W.); (S.M.R.); (J.H.)
| | - Judith Hoyland
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (F.W.); (S.M.R.); (J.H.)
| | - Carlos Ruiz Wills
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.R.W.); (M.A.G.B.)
| | - Miguel A. González Ballester
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.R.W.); (M.A.G.B.)
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Neidlin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece; (M.N.); (L.G.A.)
| | - Leonidas G. Alexopoulos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece; (M.N.); (L.G.A.)
| | - Jérôme Noailly
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.R.W.); (M.A.G.B.)
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Xu P, Guan J, Chen Y, Xiao H, Yang T, Sun H, Wu N, Zhang C, Mao Y. Stiffness of photocrosslinkable gelatin hydrogel influences nucleus pulposus cell propertiesin vitro. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:880-891. [PMID: 33289319 PMCID: PMC7812302 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A key early sign of degenerative disc disease (DDD) is the loss of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells (NPCs). Accordingly, NPC transplantation is a treatment strategy for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. However, in advanced DDD, due to structural damage of the IVD and scaffold mechanical properties, the transplanted cells are less viable and secrete less extracellular matrix, and thus, are unable to efficiently promote NP regeneration. In this study, we evaluated the encapsulation of NPCs in a photosensitive hydrogel made of collagen hydrolysate gelatin and methacrylate (GelMA) to improve NP regeneration. By adjusting the concentration of GelMA, we prepared hydrogels with different mechanical properties. After examining the mechanical properties, cell compatibility and tissue engineering indices of the GelMA-based hydrogels, we determined the optimal hydrogel concentration of the NPC-encapsulating GelMA hydrogel for NP regeneration as 5%. NPCs effectively combined with GelMA and proliferated. As the concentration of the GelMA hydrogel increased, the survival, proliferation and matrix deposition of the encapsulated NPCs gradually decreased, which is the opposite of NPCs grown on the surface of the hydrogel. The controllability of the GelMA hydrogels suggests that these NPC-encapsulating hydrogels are promising candidates to aid in NP tissue engineering and repairing endogenous NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Jingjing Guan
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China.,School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China.,Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Hui Xiao
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Tianhao Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Hengheng Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Changchun Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yingji Mao
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China.,School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
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Bai X, Guo X, Zhang F, Zheng L, Ding W, Yang S. Resveratrol Combined with 17 β-Estradiol Prevents IL-1 β Induced Apoptosis in Human Nucleus Pulposus Via The PI3K/AKT/Mtor and PI3K/AKT/GSK-3 β Pathway. J INVEST SURG 2020; 34:904-911. [PMID: 32036721 DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2019.1705941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Nucleus pulposus (NP) apoptosis is mainly charged for the pathological process of Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Our previous study revealed that Resveratrol (RSV) combined with 17β-estradiol (E2) was more effective in cutting down IL-1β induced NP cell apoptosis via PI3K/AKT pathway. The present study further evaluated the effect of RSV and E2 in the anti-apoptosis process of IVDD. METHODS Human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells culture system and IL-1β inducing apoptosis model were constructed in this research. RSV and E2 were used to inhibit apoptosis. FACS (Fluorescence-activated cell sorting) and CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) assays were respectively used to determine apoptotic incidence and cell viability of NP cells. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine expression of target genes in mRNA level, and western blot analysis was performed to detect the changes of related protein expression. RESULTS RSV combined with E2 attenuated IL-1β-induced cell apoptosis and recovered cell viability. Blockers for mTOR and GSK-3β abated the effect of RSV and E2. RSV combined with E2 obviously increased activated P-mTOR and P-GSK-3β, which contributes to the downregulation of caspase-3. Activated P-NF-kappa B was not involved in the anti-apoptosis process of RSV and E2. CONCLUSION Combination of Resveratrol and 17β-estradiol efficiently resisted IL-1β induced apoptosis of NP cell, mainly through PI3K/AKT/mTOR/caspase-3 and PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Bai
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaohui Guo
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Long Zheng
- Laboratory Animal Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenyuan Ding
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Sidong Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Differential regulation of TRP channel gene and protein expression by intervertebral disc degeneration and back pain. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18889. [PMID: 31827137 PMCID: PMC6906425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55212-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and consequent low back pain (LBP) are common and costly pathological processes that require improved treatment strategies. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels constitute a family of multimodal ion channels that have recently emerged as contributors to disc pathologies and were thus proposed as potential therapeutic targets, although limited data on their presence and function in the IVD exist. The purpose of this study was to determine the mRNA and protein expression of TRP channels in non-degenerated and degenerated human IVD tissue (with different pain intensity and chronicity) using gene array, conventional qPCR and immunohistochemistry. We could demonstrate that 26 out of 28 currently known TRP channels are expressed in the IVD on the mRNA level, thereby revealing novel therapeutic candidates from the TRPC, TRPM and TRPML subfamilies. TRPC6, TRPM2 and TRPML1 displayed enhanced gene and protein expression in degenerated IVDs as compared to non-degenerated IVDs. Additionally, the gene expression of TRPC6 and TRPML1 was influenced by the IVD degeneration grade. Pain intensity and/or chronicity influenced the gene and/or protein expression of TRPC6, TRPM2 and TRML1. Interestingly, decreased gene expression of TRPM2 was observed in patients treated with steroids. This study supports the importance of TRP channels in IVD homeostasis and pathology and their possible application as pharmacological targets for the treatment of IVD degeneration and LBP. However, the exact function and activation of the highlighted TRP channels will have to be determined in future studies.
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Xu J, Li H, Yang K, Guo S, Wang J, Feng C, Chen H. Hyper-osmolarity environment-induced oxidative stress injury promotes nucleus pulposus cell senescence in vitro. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20191711. [PMID: 31471533 PMCID: PMC6753320 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20191711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell senescence is involved in disc degeneration. The in situ osmolarity within the NP region is an important regulator of disc cell's biology. However, its effects on NP cell senescence remain unclear. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of hyper-osmolarity on NP cell senescence. Rat NP cells were cultured in the in situ-osmolarity medium and hyper-osmolarity medium. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was added along with the medium to investigate the role of oxidative injury. Cell cycle, cell proliferation, senescence associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, telomerase activity, expression of senescence markers (p16 and p53) and matrix molecules (aggrecan and collagen II) were tested to assess NP cell senescence. Compared with the in situ-osmolarity culture, hyper-osmolarity culture significantly decreased cell proliferation and telomerase activity, increased SA-β-Gal activity and cell fraction in the G0/G1 phase, up-regulated expression of senescence markers (p16 and p53) and down-regulated expression of matrix molecules (aggrecan and collagen II), and increased intracellular ROS accumulation. However, addition of NAC partly reversed these effects of hyper-osmolarity culture on cellular senescence and decreased ROS content in NP cells. In conclusion, a hyper-osmolarity culture promotes NP cell senescence through inducing oxidative stress injury. The present study provides new knowledge on NP cell senescence and helps us to better understand the mechanism of disc degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Haopeng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoshuai Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huayou Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
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Interaction between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Intervertebral Disc Microenvironment: From Cell Therapy to Tissue Engineering. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:2376172. [PMID: 32587618 PMCID: PMC7294366 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2376172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) in one of the most disabling symptoms affecting nearly 80% of the population worldwide. Its primary cause seems to be intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD): a chronic and progressive process characterized by loss of viable cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) breakdown within the intervertebral disc (IVD) especially in its inner region, the nucleus pulposus (NP). Over the last decades, innovative biological treatments have been investigated in order to restore the original healthy IVD environment and achieve disc regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely exploited in regenerative medicine for their capacity to be easily harvested and be able to differentiate along the osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages and to secrete a wide range of trophic factors that promote tissue homeostasis along with immunomodulation and anti-inflammation. Several in vitro and preclinical studies have demonstrated that MSCs are able to acquire a NP cell-like phenotype and to synthesize structural components of the ECM as well as trophic and anti-inflammatory mediators that may support resident cell activity. However, due to its unique anatomical location and function, the IVD presents distinctive features: avascularity, hypoxia, low glucose concentration, low pH, hyperosmolarity, and mechanical loading. Such conditions establish a hostile microenvironment for both resident and exogenously administered cells, which limited the efficacy of intradiscal cell therapy in diverse investigations. This review is aimed at describing the characteristics of the healthy and degenerated IVD microenvironment and how such features influence both resident cells and MSC viability and biological activity. Furthermore, we focused on how recent research has tried to overcome the obstacles coming from the IVD microenvironment by developing innovative cell therapies and functionalized bioscaffolds.
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11
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Shan L, Yang D, Zhu D, Feng F, Li X. High glucose promotes annulus fibrosus cell apoptosis through activating the JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190853. [PMID: 31221817 PMCID: PMC6614572 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor of intervertebral disc degeneration. A high glucose niche-mediated disc cell apoptosis is an implicate causative factor for the spine degenerative diseases related with DM. However, the effects of a high glucose niche on disc annulus fibrosus (AF) cell apoptosis and the potential signaling transduction pathway is unclear. The present study is to investigate the effects of high glucose on disc AF cell apoptosis and the role of two potential signaling pathways in this process. Rat AF cells were cultured in baseline medium or medium with different concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 M) of glucose for 3 days. Flow cytometry was used to assess the degree of apoptosis. Activity of caspase 3/9 was evaluated by chemical kit. Expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic molecules was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. In addition, activity of the C-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK) pathway and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was evaluated by Western blot. Compared with the control group, high glucose culture increased cell apoptosis ratio and caspase-3/9 activity, up-regulated expression of bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, and down-regulated expression of bcl-2 in a glucose concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, high glucose culture increased expression of the p-JNK and p-p38 MAPK in a concentration-dependent manner. Further results showed that inhibition of the JNK or p38 MAPK pathway attenuated the effects of high glucose on AF cell apoptosis. Together, high glucose promoted disc AF cell apoptosis through regulating the JNK pathway and p38 MAPK pathway in a glucose concentration-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhen Shan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
- People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Danjie Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
- People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fabo Feng
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
- People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
- People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Jiang Y, Xie Z, Yu J, Fu L. Resveratrol inhibits IL-1β-mediated nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis through regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190043. [PMID: 30867252 PMCID: PMC6434388 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis is a classical cellular character during intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Previous studies have shown that inflammatory cytokine-induced NP cell apoptosis plays an important role in disc degeneration. The present study was aimed to investigate whether resveratrol can suppress IL-1β-mediated NP cell apoptosis and the potential signal transduction pathway. Experimental rat NP cells were treated with culture medium containing IL-1β (20 ng/ml) for 7 days. Control NP cells were cultured in the baseline medium. Resveratrol was added along with culture medium to investigate its effects. The inhibitor LY294002 was used to study the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway. NP cell apoptosis was reflected by the caspase-3 activity, cell apoptosis ratio, and expression of apoptosis-related molecules (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP). Compared with the control NP cells, IL-1β significantly increased caspase-3 activity, NP cell apoptosis ratio and mRNA/protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, but decreased mRNA expression of Bcl-2. However, resveratrol partly suppressed the effects of IL-1β on those cell apoptosis-related parameters. Further analysis showed that IL-1β significantly decreased activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway whereas resveratrol partly increased activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway in NP cells treated with IL-1β. Additionally, when the inhibitor LY294002 was added along with the resveratrol, its protective effects against IL-1β-induced NP cell apoptosis were attenuated. In conclusion, resveratrol suppresses IL-1β-mediated NP cell apoptosis through activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Resveratrol may be an effective drug to attenuate inflammatory cytokine-induced disc degenerative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhai Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Weihai Second Hospital of Qingdao University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Zhijie Xie
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Weihai Second Hospital of Qingdao University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Jinying Yu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Weihai Second Hospital of Qingdao University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Lianqiang Fu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Weihai Second Hospital of Qingdao University, Weihai 264200, China
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Yang Y, Wang X, Liu Z, Xiao X, Hu W, Sun Z. Osteogenic protein-1 attenuates nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis through activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in a hyperosmotic culture. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20181708. [PMID: 30459239 PMCID: PMC6294645 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated that osteogenic protein-1 has protective effects on the biological functions of intervertebral disc cells. Hyperosmolarity is an important physicochemical factor within the disc nucleus pulposus (NP) region, which obviously promotes NP cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) on NP cell apoptosis induced by hyperosmolarity and the potential signaling transduction pathway. METHODS Rat NP cells were cultured in a hyperosmotic medium with or without OP-1 addition for 7 days. Inhibitor 294002 and inhibitor FK-506 were used to investigate the role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in this process. NP cell apoptosis were evaluated by cell apoptosis ratio, activity of caspase-3/9 and gene/protein expression of apoptosis-related molecules (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP). RESULTS OP-1 addition obviously decreased cell apoptosis ratio and caspase-3/9 activity, down-regulated gene/protein expression of pro-apoptosis molecules (Bax, caspase-3/cleaved casepase-3 and cleaved PARP), up-regulated gene/protein expression of anti-apoptosis molecule (Bcl-2) in a hyperosmotic culture. Moreover, OP-1 addition significantly increased protein expression of p-Akt and p-mTOR. Further analysis showed that addition of LY294002 and FK-506 partly attenuated these protective effects of OP-1 against NP cell apoptosis and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in a hyperosmotic culture. CONCLUSION OP-1 can attenuate NP cell apoptosis through activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in a hyperosmotic culture. The present study sheds a new light on the protective role of OP-1 in regulating disc cell biology and provides some theoretical basis for the application of OP-1 in retarding/regenerating disc degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Artificial Osteo-Materials, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiyang Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Artificial Osteo-Materials, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Artificial Osteo-Materials, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Artificial Osteo-Materials, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenkai Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Artificial Osteo-Materials, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhicheng Sun
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Artificial Osteo-Materials, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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Jiao S, Li J, Liu B, Yang M, Xiu J, Qu D. Nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis is attenuated by CDMP-2 through regulating oxidative damage under the hyperosmotic environment. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20181176. [PMID: 30177520 PMCID: PMC6177556 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cell experiences periodic osmolarity alterations during daily activities, which has been proved to affect cell biology in vitro The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2 (CDMP-2) on NP cell apoptosis under the hyperosmolarity culture and the potential mechanism. Isolated rat NP cells were cultured in the in situ-osmolarity medium or hyperosmolarity medium for 3 days. CDMP-2 was added into the hyperosmolarity medium to investigate its effects on NP cell apoptosis. Cell apoptosis rate, caspase-3 activity, gene expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3, and protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were analyzed to evaluate NP cell apoptosis. Additionally, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were analyzed to investigate the potential role of oxidative damage in this process. In the hyperosmolarity culture, NP cells showed a significantly increased cell apoptosis rate and caspase-3 activity, an up-regulated expression of Bax and caspase-3/cleaved-caspase-3 and a down-regulated expression of Bcl-2. However, CDMP-2 partly inhibited these effects of hyperosmolarity culture on NP cells. Additionally, the hyperosmolarity culture significantly increased ROS content and decreased the total SOD activity compared with the in situ-osmolarity culture, whereas exogenous CDMP-2 partly decreased the ROS content and increased the total SOD activity in the hyperosmolarity culture. In conclusion, CDMP-2 is effective in attenuating hyperosmolarity environment-induced NP cell apoptosis, and this process may be mediated through inhibiting oxidative stress damage. The present study indicates that CDMP-2 may be helpful to retard hyperosmolarity niche-mediated disc degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouguo Jiao
- Department of Orthopedics, Yantai Yeda Hospital, Yantai 264006, Shandong, China
| | - Jingxiang Li
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Central Hospital of Zaozhuang Mining Group, Zaozhuang 277000, Shandong, China
| | - Binbin Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Yantai Yeda Hospital, Yantai 264006, Shandong, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Yantai Yeda Hospital, Yantai 264006, Shandong, China
| | - Jiangli Xiu
- Department of Operating Room, Yantai Yeda Hospital, Yantai 264006, Shandong, China
| | - Daokui Qu
- Department of Orthopedics, Yantai Yeda Hospital, Yantai 264006, Shandong, China
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15
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Ni G, Liu G, Yu K. Identification of key genes associated with the effect of osmotic stimuli on intervertebral discs using microarray analysis. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:4249-4255. [PMID: 28943935 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the effect of osmotic stimuli on intervertebral discs (IVDs) using microarray analysis. Gene expression dataset GSE1648 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. There were 11 IVD cell samples in this dataset, which included 4 hyperosmotic stimuli samples, 3 hypoosmotic stimuli samples and 4 isosmotic stimuli samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hyperosmotic or hypoosmotic IVD cells (designated DEGs-hyper or DEGs-hypo) were identified, compared with isosmotic cells, using the limma package of R software. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery was used to perform a Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis for the DEG sets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and microRNA (miRNA) gene-regulatory network data for the DEG sets were obtained using the Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD) and the TargetScan database, respectively, and these networks were constructed and visualized using Cytoscape software. There was a total of 43 DEGs in DEGs-hyper and 9 in DEGs-hypo. Analysis of DEGs-hyper revealed that 41 GO terms were significantly enriched. In total, 376 pairs and 382 nodes were involved in the PPI network, and 1,314 miRNA-gene pairs and 422 nodes were contained in the miRNA-gene-regulated network. The results of the present study indicated that potential target genes (including NCOA3, SOS1, XPO1, ZBTB18, EFNB2 and SOBP) may be involved in the effect of osmotic stimuli on IVD, and the biological processes of apoptosis and cell death may be associated with the effect of high osmolality on IVD disease. The potential targets identified in the present study are more reliable than those identified by previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxiao Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Guobin Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Kunlun Yu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
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16
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Li P, Gan Y, Wang H, Xu Y, Song L, Wang L, Ouyang B, Zhou Q. A Substance Exchanger-Based Bioreactor Culture of Pig Discs for Studying the Immature Nucleus Pulposus. Artif Organs 2017; 41:E308-E319. [PMID: 28188657 DOI: 10.1111/aor.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Various research models have been developed to study the biology of disc cells. Recently, the adult disc nucleus pulposus (NP) has been well studied. However, the immature NP is underinvestigated due to a lack of a suitable model. This study aimed to establish an organ culture of immature porcine disc by optimizing culture conditions and using a self-developed substance exchanger-based bioreactor. Immature porcine discs were first cultured in the bioreactor for 7 days at various levels of glucose (low, medium, high), osmolarity (hypo-, iso-, hyper-) and serum (5, 10, 20%) to determine the respective optimal level. The porcine discs were then cultured under the optimized conditions in the novel bioreactor, and were compared with fresh discs at day 14. For high-glucose, iso-osmolarity, or 10% serum, cell viability, the gene expression profile (for anabolic genes and catabolic genes), and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and hydroxyproline (HYP) contents were more favorable than for other levels of glucose, osmolarity, and serum. When the immature discs were cultured under the optimized conditions using the novel bioreactor for 14 days, the viability of the immature NP was maintained based on histology, cell viability, GAG and HYP contents, and matrix molecule expression. In conclusion, the viability of the immature NP in organ culture could be maintained under the optimized culture conditions (high-glucose, iso-osmolarity, and 10% serum) in the substance exchanger-based bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University
| | - Yibo Gan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University
| | - Haoming Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chongqing Three Gorges Central Hospital
| | - Yuan Xu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University
| | - Bin Ouyang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University
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17
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Iatridis JC, Kang J, Kandel R, Risbud MV. New horizons in spine research: Intervertebral disc repair and regeneration. J Orthop Res 2017; 35:5-7. [PMID: 28114734 PMCID: PMC5482231 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James C. Iatridis
- Leni & Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - James Kang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Rita Kandel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario M5G1X5, Canada
| | - Makarand V. Risbud
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
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