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Gansau J, Buckley CT. Incorporation of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to Enhance the Bioactivity of Fibrin-Based Hydrogels for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration. J Funct Biomater 2018; 9:E43. [PMID: 29996555 PMCID: PMC6164980 DOI: 10.3390/jfb9030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels, such as fibrin, offer a promising delivery vehicle to introduce cells into the intervertebral disc (IVD) to regenerate damaged disc tissue as a potential treatment for low back pain. However, fibrin lacks key extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagen (Col) and hyaluronan (HA), normally found in native nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue. The overall aim of this work was to create a fibrin-based hydrogel, by incorporating Col and HA into the matrix to enhance NP-like matrix accumulation using articular chondrocytes (CC). Firstly, we assessed the effect of fibrin concentrations on hydrogel stability, and the viability and proliferation kinetics of articular chondrocytes. Secondly, we investigated the effect of incorporating Col and HA to enhance NP-like matrix accumulation, and finally, examined the influence of various HA concentrations. Results showed that increasing fibrin concentration enhanced cell viability and proliferation. Interestingly, incorporation of HA promoted sGAG accumulation and tended to suppress collagen formation at higher concentrations. Taken together, these results suggest that incorporation of ECM components can enhance the bioactivity of fibrin-based hydrogels, which may help advance the clinical potential of commercial cell and biomaterial ventures in the treatment of IVD regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gansau
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 2 Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, 2 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Conor Timothy Buckley
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 2 Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, 2 Dublin, Ireland.
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & Trinity College Dublin, 2 Dublin, Ireland.
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Li Z, Boubriak OA, Urban JP, Cui ZF. Microdialysis for Monitoring the Process of Functional Tissue Culture. Int J Artif Organs 2018; 29:858-65. [PMID: 17033993 DOI: 10.1177/039139880602900907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Continuous monitoring is important during tissue culture. However, there are still technical difficulties in monitoring the internal status of cells or tissues. In this paper, microdialysis is adopted to monitor functional tissue growth in a bioreactor. Explanted bovine caudal intervertebral disc (IVD) was used as the test tissue. A microdialysis membrane probe of 100 kDa molecular weight cut-off was employed and in situ calibration methods with phenol red and fluorescent 40 kDa dextran were developed to measure the relative recovery of the solute of interest, and membrane fouling, respectively. Tissue metabolism was monitored successfully. At the same time soluble macromolecules were picked up by the probe and were detected and quantified by Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) and/or Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). These proteins were believed to be associated with biofunction of engineered tissue. Monitoring of phenol red content in the dialysate indicated that there was no significant fouling of the membrane probe during a 7-day culture period and the Relative Recovery of macromolecules of interests remained roughly 9%. We concluded that microdialysis could be used to sample a wide range of molecular species released during cell metabolism and extracellular matrix turnover, which were direct or indirect indications of cell and tissue functions. The application of the developed system could be extended to monitor tissue repair in vivo, and the development of the engineered tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Li
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford - UK
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Stich S, Stolk M, Girod PP, Thomé C, Sittinger M, Ringe J, Seifert M, Hegewald AA. Regenerative and immunogenic characteristics of cultured nucleus pulposus cells from human cervical intervertebral discs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126954. [PMID: 25993467 PMCID: PMC4438063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based regenerative approaches have been suggested as primary or adjuvant procedures for the treatment of degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) diseases. Our aim was to evaluate the regenerative and immunogenic properties of mildly and severely degenerated cervical nucleus pulposus (NP) cells with regard to cell isolation, proliferation and differentiation, as well as to cell surface markers and co-cultures with autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) including changes in their immunogenic properties after 3-dimensional (3D)-culture. Tissue from the NP compartment of 10 patients with mild or severe grades of IVD degeneration was collected. Cells were isolated, expanded with and without basic fibroblast growth factor and cultured in 3D fibrin/poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid transplants for 21 days. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed the expression of characteristic NP markers ACAN, COL1A1 and COL2A1 in 2D- and 3D-culture with degeneration- and culture-dependent differences. In a 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester-based proliferation assay, NP cells in monolayer, regardless of their grade of degeneration, did not provoke a significant proliferation response in T cells, natural killer (NK) cells or B cells, not only with donor PBMC, but also with allogeneic PBMC. In conjunction with low inflammatory cytokine expression, analyzed by Cytometric Bead Array and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), a low immunogenicity can be assumed, facilitating possible therapeutic approaches. In 3D-culture, however, we found elevated immune cell proliferation levels, and there was a general trend to higher responses for NP cells from severely degenerated IVD tissue. This emphasizes the importance of considering the specific immunological alterations when including biomaterials in a therapeutic concept. The overall expression of Fas receptor, found on cultured NP cells, could have disadvantageous implications on their potential therapeutic applications because they could be the targets of cytotoxic T-cell activity acting by Fas ligand-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Stich
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Meaghan Stolk
- Institute of Medical Immunology and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pierre Pascal Girod
- Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Claudius Thomé
- Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Sittinger
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jochen Ringe
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Seifert
- Institute of Medical Immunology and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aldemar Andres Hegewald
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Colombini A, Ceriani C, Banfi G, Brayda-Bruno M, Moretti M. Fibrin in Intervertebral Disc Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2014; 20:713-21. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2014.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Colombini
- Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Ceriani
- Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Banfi
- Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Brayda-Bruno
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology–Vertebral Surgery III–Scoliosis, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Moretti
- Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy
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Mern DS, Beierfuß A, Thomé C, Hegewald AA. Enhancing human nucleus pulposus cells for biological treatment approaches of degenerative intervertebral disc diseases: a systematic review. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2012; 8:925-36. [PMID: 22927290 DOI: 10.1002/term.1583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration has been described as an aberrant, cell-mediated, age- and genetics-dependent molecular degeneration process, which can be accelerated by nutritional, mechanical and toxic factors. Collective involvement of these factors can result in structural failures, which are often associated with pain. Current treatment approaches are restricted to symptomatic therapies, not addressing options of restoring structural or biological deterioration of the IVD as the underlying problem. Therapeutic potentials of IVD cell transplantation, biomaterials, inhibiting or activating bioactive factors, including gene-therapeutic approaches, have been shown in vitro or in small animal models. Since human degenerative IVD cells display distinctive features with regard to cell biology and regenerative potential, we attempted a systematic review, investigating the in vitro response of human nucleus pulposus cells to different stimuli. Therefore, we conducted an electronic database search on Medline through July 2011 to identify, compare and discuss publications concerning the effects of cell-cell stimulation, bioactive factors, biomaterials and combinations thereof in terms of cell isolation, proliferation, differentiation and matrix protein synthesis. This survey and discussion might serve as a source for designing future biological treatment strategies for the human IVD.
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN the response of cells from the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) to varying oxygen (O2) concentrations was examined when cultured in alginate. OBJECTIVE to study the effect of O2 concentration on AF and NP cells. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA AF and NP cells possess different metabolic profiles in situ. However, it is not clear whether this difference is maintained in in vitro culture conditions. AF and NP cells can respond differently in the different systems, which may differ from the in vivo environment in terms of nutrient supply and O2 levels. In vivo, O2 levels vary from 1% to 5% within the intervertebral disc, and there is evidence that disc cell metabolism can vary with O2 concentrations. METHODS an alginate scaffold was seeded with bovine AF or NP cells and maintained in culture for up to 18 days under different O2 concentrations. The sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in the culture medium and the expression of aggrecan, type I (COL1A2) and II (COL2A1) collagen genes were analyzed at day 9 and day 18. RESULTS in both NP and AF cells cultured either in normoxia (21% O2) or in hypoxia (5% and 1% O2), the GAG content of the culture medium increased with time, though the rate of increase was diminished in 5% O2. With a decrease in O2 levels, the expression of aggrecan mRNA increased in NP cells. There was little effect of O2 on aggrecan mRNA level in AF cells. However, there was a slight decrease with time. Interestingly, aggrecan mRNA levels did not reflect GAG release for either NP or AF cells. There was no effect with time or O2 levels on COL2A1 message in NP cells. The highest Aggrecan/COL2 message ratio for NP cells was with 1% O2, suggesting this to be the best condition for maintaining the NP phenotype. COL1A2 gene expression in NP and AF cells increased with time, but showed little change with O2 levels in NP cells. The highest COL2/COL1 ratio in NP cells was also observed with 1% O2. Finally, NP cells tended to remain localized in the alginate beads, whereas AF cells tended to migrate from the beads. CONCLUSION both NP and AF cells showed little change in GAG production with O2 levels ranging from 1% to 21%. Disc cell metabolism is not impaired at low O2 concentrations, which appear beneficial to matrix composition. Furthermore, low oxygen may promote a gelatinous NP matrix, whereas increased oxygen levels may promote a fibrous matrix.
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Hegewald AA, Endres M, Abbushi A, Cabraja M, Woiciechowsky C, Schmieder K, Kaps C, Thomé C. Adequacy of herniated disc tissue as a cell source for nucleus pulposus regeneration. J Neurosurg Spine 2011; 14:273-80. [PMID: 21214312 DOI: 10.3171/2010.10.spine10223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECT The object of this study was to characterize the regenerative potential of cells isolated from herniated disc tissue obtained during microdiscectomy. The acquired data could help to evaluate the feasibility of these cells for autologous disc cell transplantation. METHODS From each of 5 patients (mean age 45 years), tissue from the nucleus pulposus compartment as well as from herniated disc was obtained separately during microdiscectomy of symptomatic herniated lumbar discs. Cells were isolated, and in vitro cell expansion for cells from herniated disc tissue was accomplished using human serum and fibroblast growth factor-2. For 3D culture, expanded cells were loaded in a fibrin-hyaluronan solution on polyglycolic acid scaffolds for 2 weeks. The formation of disc tissue was documented by histological staining of the extracellular matrix as well as by gene expression analysis of typical disc marker genes. RESULTS Cells isolated from herniated disc tissue showed significant signs of dedifferentiation and degeneration in comparison with cells from tissue of the nucleus compartment. With in vitro cell expansion, further dedifferentiation with distinct suppression of major matrix molecules, such as aggrecan and Type II collagen, was observed. Unlike in previous reports of cells from the nucleus compartment, the cells from herniated disc tissue showed only a weak redifferentiation process in 3D culture. However, propidium iodide/fluorescein diacetate staining documented that 3D assembly of these cells in polyglycolic acid scaffolds allows prolonged culture and high viability. CONCLUSIONS Study results suggested a very limited regenerative potential for cells harvested from herniated disc tissue. Further research on 2 major aspects in patient selection is suggested before conducting reasonable clinical trials in this matter: 1) diagnostic strategies to predict the regenerative potential of harvested cells at a radiological or cell biology level, and 2) clinical assessment strategies to elucidate the metabolic state of the targeted disc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldemar A Hegewald
- Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Zhou H, Hou S, Shang W, Wu W, Cheng Y, Mei F, Peng B. A new in vivo animal model to create intervertebral disc degeneration characterized by MRI, radiography, CT/discogram, biochemistry, and histology. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2007; 32:864-72. [PMID: 17426630 DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000259835.31062.3d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A new in vivo sheep model was developed that produced disc degeneration through the injection of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into the intervertebral disc. This process was studied using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiography, CT/discogram, histology, and biochemistry. OBJECTIVES To develop a sheep model of intervertebral disc degeneration that more faithfully mimics the pathologic hallmarks of human intervertebral disc degeneration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Recent studies have shown age-related alterations in proteoglycan structure and organization in human intervertebral discs. An animal model that involves the use of age-related changes in disc cells can be beneficial over other more invasive degenerative models that involves directly damaging the matrix of disc tissue. METHODS Twelve sheep were injected with BrdU or vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline) into the central region of separate lumbar discs. Intact discs were used as controls. At the 2-, 6-, 10-, and 14-week time points, discs underwent MRI, radiography, histology, and biochemical analyses. A CT/discogram study was performed at the 14-week time point. RESULTS MRI demonstrated a progressive loss of T2-weighted signal intensity at BrdU-injected discs over the 14-week study period. Radiograph findings included osteophyte and disc space narrowing formed by 10 weeks post-BrdU treatment. CT discography demonstrated internal disc disruption in several BrdU-treated discs at the 14-week time point. Histology showed a progressive loss of the normal architecture and cell density of discs from the 2-week time point to the 14-week time point. A progressive loss of cell proliferation capacity, water content, and proteoglycans was also documented. CONCLUSIONS BrdU injection into the central region of sheep discs resulted in degeneration of intervertebral discs. This progressive, degenerative process was confirmed using MRI, histology, and by observing changes in biochemistry. Degeneration occurred in a manner that was similar to that observed in human disc degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- HaoWei Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital of China People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, PR China
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Haschtmann D, Stoyanov JV, Ettinger L, Nolte LP, Ferguson SJ. Establishment of a novel intervertebral disc/endplate culture model: analysis of an ex vivo in vitro whole-organ rabbit culture system. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2006; 31:2918-25. [PMID: 17139222 DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000247954.69438.ae] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Ex vivo in vitro study evaluating a novel intervertebral disc/endplate culture system. OBJECTIVES To establish a whole-organ intervertebral disc culture model for the study of disc degeneration in vitro, including the characterization of basic cell and organ function. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA With current in vivo models for the study of disc and endplate degeneration, it remains difficult to investigate the complex disc metabolism and signaling cascades. In contrast, more controlled but simplified in vitro systems using isolated cells or disc fragments are difficult to culture due to the unconstrained conditions, with often-observed cell death or cell dedifferentiation. Therefore, there is a demand for a controlled culture model with preserved cell function that offers the possibility to investigate disc and endplate pathologies in a structurally intact organ. METHODS Naturally constrained intervertebral disc/endplate units from rabbits were cultured in multi-well plates. Cell viability, metabolic activity, matrix composition, and matrix gene expression profile were monitored using the Live/Dead cell viability test (Invitrogen, Basel, Switzerland), tetrazolium salt reduction (WST-8), proteoglycan and deoxyribonucleic acid quantification assays, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Viability and organ integrity were preserved for at least 4 weeks, while proteoglycan and deoxyribonucleic acid content decreased slightly, and matrix genes exhibited a degenerative profile with up-regulation of type I collagen and suppression of collagen type II and aggrecan genes. Additionally, cell metabolic activity was reduced to one third of the initial value. CONCLUSIONS Naturally constrained intervertebral rabbit discs could be cultured for several weeks without losing cell viability. Structural integrity and matrix composition were retained. However, the organ responded to the artificial environment with a degenerative gene expression pattern and decreased metabolic rate. Therefore, the described system serves as a promising in vitro model to study disc degeneration in a whole organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Haschtmann
- MEM Research Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, University of Bern, Stauffacherstrasse 78, CH-3014 Bern, Switzerland.
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