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Regeneration of intervertebral discs in a rat disc degeneration model by implanted adipose-tissue-derived stromal cells

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Abstract

Background

Because adipose-tissue-derived stromal cell (ADSC) is readily accessible and abundant in stem cell, ADSC may be a better candidate for cell therapy and tissue engineering. This study investigated the potential of ADSC implantation to restore disc in a rat IVD model.

Methods

The first coccygeal disc segments of a Sprague–Dawley rat was left undamaged as a control (NC) group, and other two segments were damaged by needle injection. Two weeks later, ADSCs (TS) group or saline (IN) group was transplanted into each of the two damaged segments.

Results

At 6 weeks after transplantation, the TS group showed a significantly smaller reduction in disc height than the IN group and exhibited a restoration of MRI signal intensity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a greater restoration of the inner annulus structure in the TS group. Anti-Human Nucleic Antibody, collagen type II, and aggrecan, staining showed positive findings at 2 weeks after transplantation in TS group.

Conclusions

ADSCs show potential for restoring degenerative discs and may prove effective in the treatment of IVD.

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Acknowledgments

The Authors wish to thank Basic Science Research Program Through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (grant number: 2009-0068925)

Conflict of interest statement

One or more of the authors Jeong has received funding from Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological surgery, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea

    Je Hoon Jeong

  2. Laboratory of Stem Cell Therapy, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea

    Je Hoon Jeong, Jung Hwan Lee, Eun Sun Jin, Joong Kee Min, Sang Ryong Jeon & Kyoung Hyo Choi

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

    Jung Hwan Lee

  4. Cardiovascular Center, Kyung Hee East-West Neo Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

    Eun Sun Jin

  5. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, 388-1 Pungnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea

    Kyoung Hyo Choi

Authors
  1. Je Hoon Jeong
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  2. Jung Hwan Lee
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  3. Eun Sun Jin
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  4. Joong Kee Min
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  5. Sang Ryong Jeon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kyoung Hyo Choi.

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Comment

Interesting study, showing some in vivo evidence for proteoglycan synthesis within 6 weeks after injecting adipose-tissue-derived stem cells into a degenerated rat disc. Main problem: how long will proteoglycan expression last? The short-term regeneration is encouraging but will be followed by major frustration, once (or if) the degenerative process starts again.

Michael Payer

Geneva, Switzerland

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Jeong, J.H., Lee, J.H., Jin, E.S. et al. Regeneration of intervertebral discs in a rat disc degeneration model by implanted adipose-tissue-derived stromal cells. Acta Neurochir 152, 1771–1777 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-010-0698-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-010-0698-2

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