An Ex Vivo Intervertebral Disc Slice Culture Model for Studying Disc Degeneration and Immune Cell Interactions.

ABSTRACT: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a leading cause of back and leg pain and a major contributor to disability worldwide. Despite its prevalence, treatments remain limited due to incomplete understanding of its pathology. In vivo models pose challenges for controlled conditions, while in vitro cell cultures lack key cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. To address these limitations, we developed a novel tissue slice culture model of mouse discs, in which intact mouse discs were sliced down to 300 μm thickness with a vibratome and cultured ex vivo at various time points. The cell viability, matrix components, structure integrity, inflammatory responses, and macrophage interactions were evaluated with biochemistry, gene expression, histology, and 3D imaging analyses. Disc slices maintained

SUBMITTER: Oh EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12384586 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature