Anti-Swelling Hydrogel Combined With Nucleus Pulposus Cell Exosomes and Senolytic Drugs Efficiently Repair Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a multifactorial pathology primarily driven by the senescence of nucleus pulposus cells (NPC), inflammatory microenvironment of extracellular matrix (ECM), and the resultant decline in NPCs viability. Conventional treatment strategies often fail to address these two interconnected factors simultaneously. To overcome this limitation, a bifunctional anti-swelling hydrogel system encapsulating anti-senescence drugs quercetin (Q) and dasatinib (D), as well as nucleus pulposus-derived exosomes (NP-Exo) is developed. This system is designed to clear senescent NPCs, regulate the inflammatory disc microenvironment, and enhance NPC activity, thereby significantly improving treatment efficacy. Mechanistically, this strategy helps preserve mitochondrial func

SUBMITTER: Chen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12677665 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature