Therapeutic effects of cell therapy with neonatal human dermal fibroblasts and rabbit dermal fibroblasts on disc degeneration and inflammation

The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society
Peng ShiHoward S An

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests transplanting viable cells into the degenerating intervertebral disc (IVD) may be effective in treating disc degeneration and back pain. Clinical studies utilizing autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to treat patients with back pain have reported some encouraging results. Animal studies have shown that cells injected into the disc can survive for months and have regenerative effects. Studies to determine the advantages and disadvantages of cell types and sources for therapy are needed. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of donor source on the therapeutic effects of dermal fibroblast treatment on disc degeneration and inflammation. Using the rabbit disc degeneration model, we compared transplantation of neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (nHDFs) and rabbit dermal fibroblasts (RDFs) into rabbit degenerated discs on host immune response, disc height, and IVD composition. New Zealand white rabbits received an annular puncture using an 18-guage needle to induce disc degeneration. Four weeks after injury, rabbit IVDs were treated with 5 × 106 nHDFs, RDFs, or saline. At eight weeks post-treatment, animals were sacrificed. X-ray images were obtained. IVDs were isolated for inf...Continue Reading

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