Link-N: The missing link towards intervertebral disc repair is species-specific.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a frequent cause for back pain in humans and dogs. Link-N stabilizes proteoglycan aggregates in cartilaginous tissues and exerts growth factor-like effects. The human variant of Link-N facilitates IVD regeneration in several species in vitro by inducing Smad1 signaling, but it is not clear whether this is species specific. Dogs with IVD disease could possibly benefit from Link-N treatment, but Link-N has not been tested on canine IVD cells. If Link-N appears to be effective in canines, this would facilitate translation of Link-N into the clinic using the dog as an in vivo large animal model for human IVD degeneration.

Materials and methods

This study's objective was to determine the effect of the human and canine

SUBMITTER: Bach FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5679057 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature