Macrophage Subtypes Distinctly Impact Intervertebral Disc Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Composition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is characterized by changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and an inflammatory microenvironment, including macrophage recruitment. While inflammation is known to amplify ECM degradation, the individual roles of IVD cells and macrophages, and contributions of crosstalk are unknown. Additionally, the impacts of polarized pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages on the IVD are unknown, highlighting a need for an in vitro macrophage-IVD explant co-culture system.

Methods

IVDs were dissected from the lumbar spine of rats and cultured encapsulated in agarose. Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated and polarized to M1 or M2. IVD explants were cultured for 14 days with or without TNFα. M1 or M

SUBMITTER: Lisiewski LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700309 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature