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Regeneration of nucleus pulposus tissue in an ovine intervertebral disc degeneration model by cell‐free resorbable polymer scaffolds
Author(s) -
Woiciechowsky Christian,
Abbushi Alexander,
Zenclussen Maria L.,
Casalis Pablo,
Krüger Jan Philipp,
Freymann Undine,
Endres Michaela,
Kaps Christian
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-7005
pISSN - 1932-6254
DOI - 10.1002/term.1582
Subject(s) - intervertebral disc , regeneration (biology) , hyaluronic acid , extracellular matrix , chemistry , implant , biomedical engineering , staining , anatomy , glycosaminoglycan , pathology , medicine , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry
Degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs) occurs frequently and is often associated with lower back pain. Recent treatment options are limited and treat the symptoms rather than regenerate the degenerated disc. Cell‐free, freeze‐dried resorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA)–hyaluronan implants were used in an ovine IVD degeneration model. The nucleus pulposus of the IVD was partially removed, endoscopically. PGA–hyaluronan implants were immersed in autologous sheep serum and implanted into the disc defect. Animals with nucleotomy only served as controls. The T2‐weighted/fat suppression sequence signal intensity index of the operated discs, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), showed that implantation of the PGA–hyaluronan implant improved ( p = 0.0066) the MRI signal compared to controls at 6 months after surgery. Histological analysis by haematoxylin and eosin and safranin O staining showed the ingrowth of cells with typical chondrocytic morphology, even cell distribution, and extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycan. Histomorphometric analyses confirmed that the implantation of the PGA–hyaluronan scaffolds improved ( p = 0.027) the formation of regenerated tissue after nucleotomy. Disc heights remained stable in discs with nucleotomy only as well as after implantation of the implant. In conclusion, implantation of cell‐free polymer‐based implants after nucleotomy induces nucleus pulposus tissue regeneration and improves disc water content in the ovine model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.