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Ex vivo observation of human intervertebral disc tissue and cells isolated from degenerated intervertebral discs

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Abstract

Purpose

Disc degeneration, and associated low back pain, are a primary cause of disability. Disc degeneration is characterized by dysfunctional cells and loss of proteoglycans: since intervertebral tissue has a limited capacity to regenerate, this process is at present considered irreversible. Recently, cell therapy has been suggested to provide more successful treatment of IVD degeneration. To understand the potential of cells to restore IVD structure/function, tissue samples from degenerated IVD versus healthy discs have been compared.

Methods

Discal tissue from 27 patients (40.17 ± 11 years) undergoing surgery for degenerative disc disease (DDD), DDD + herniation and congenital scoliosis, as controls, was investigated. Cells and matrix in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) were characterized by histology. AF- and NP-derived cells were isolated, expanded and characterized for senescence and gene expression. Three-dimensional NP pellets were cultured and stained for glycosaminoglycan formation.

Results

Phenotypical markers of degeneration, such as cell clusters, chondrons, and collagen disorganization were seen in the degenerate samples. In severe degeneration, granulation tissue and peripheral vascularization were observed. No correlation was found between the Pfirrmann clinical score and the extent of degeneration.

Conclusion

The tissue disorganization in degenerate discs and the paucity of cells out of cluster/chondron association, make the IVD-derived cells an unreliable option for disc regeneration.

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Acknowledgment

Excellent technical assistance for histology was provided by Michela Greco.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Orthopaedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Gabriela Ciapetti, Donatella Granchi, Valentina Devescovi & Nicola Baldini

  2. Orthopedic-Trauma Spine Surgery Department, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Tiziana Greggi & Mario Di Silvestre

  3. Department of Human Anatomy and Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Nicola Baldini

  4. Section of Anatomic Pathology at Bellaria Hospital, Department of Biomedical and Neuro-Muscular Sciences, University of Bologna, via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy

    Elisa Leonardi

Authors
  1. Gabriela Ciapetti
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  2. Donatella Granchi
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  3. Valentina Devescovi
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  4. Elisa Leonardi
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  5. Tiziana Greggi
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  6. Mario Di Silvestre
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  7. Nicola Baldini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gabriela Ciapetti.

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Ciapetti, G., Granchi, D., Devescovi, V. et al. Ex vivo observation of human intervertebral disc tissue and cells isolated from degenerated intervertebral discs. Eur Spine J 21 (Suppl 1), 10–19 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2234-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2234-y

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