Nutrient supply and nucleus pulposus cell function: effects of the transport properties of the cartilage endplate and potential implications for intradiscal biologic therapy.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Intradiscal biologic therapy is a promising strategy for managing intervertebral disc degeneration. However, these therapies require a rich nutrient supply, which may be limited by the transport properties of the cartilage endplate (CEP). This study investigated how fluctuations in CEP transport properties impact nutrient diffusion and disc cell survival and function. DESIGN:Human CEP tissues harvested from six fresh cadaveric lumbar spines (38-66 years old) were placed at the open sides of diffusion chambers. Bovine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells cultured inside the chambers were nourished exclusively by nutrients diffusing through the CEP tissues. After 72 h in culture, depth-dependent NP cell viability and gene expression were measured, and related to CEP transport properties and

SUBMITTER: Wong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6536352 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature