Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Xuan Peng, Lingjia Yu, Lin Shi, Huajun Dong, Xiaohui Meng, Bin Zhu
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is characterized by the loss of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, making replenishing NP cells crucial for IVDD treatment. Advances in polymer materials and decellularization technology offer hope for relieving pain, replacing damaged tissue, reversing disc degeneration, maintaining spinal mechanical properties, and improving conditions. This review discusses the limitations of traditional therapies, as well as the research progress in materials for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and regeneration, including polymeric hydrogels and decellularized nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix (dNP-ECM) technology. While these technologies are not widely used clinically, they hold promise as alternative approaches to IVDD treatment and have significant research value.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yu Wang, Cheng Zheng, Ye Wu, Bo Zhang, Cheng Hu, Chuan Guo, Qingquan Kong, Yunbing Wang
Summary: This study developed a self-strengthening hydrogel gene delivery system for the controlled and sustained delivery of antagomir-21 into the nucleus pulposus (NP) to treat intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The hydrogel prevented drug leakage, provided mechanical support, and maintained stability of the spinal segment. In vitro and in vivo testing demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility, degradability, anti-inflammatory effects, and ability to regulate the ECM's metabolic balance of the hybrid hydrogels.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhiwei Liao, Wencan Ke, Hui Liu, Bide Tong, Kun Wang, Xiaobo Feng, Wenbin Hua, Bingjin Wang, Yu Song, Rongjin Luo, Huaizhen Liang, Weifeng Zhang, Kangcheng Zhao, Shuai Li, Cao Yang
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic mechanism of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) and found that vasorin protein enriched in EVs promoted the proliferation and extracellular matrix anabolism of nucleus pulposus cells via the Notch1 signaling pathway. In addition, the study showed that EVs embedded in a thermoresponsive gel achieved better therapeutic effects than one-off EVs delivery.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Haoruo Jia, Xiao Lin, Dong Wang, Jingwei Wang, Qiliang Shang, Xin He, Kang Wu, Boyan Zhao, Pandi Peng, Han Wang, Di Wang, Pan Li, Liu Yang, Zhuojing Luo, Lei Yang
Summary: The study aims to develop a novel hydrogel with high injectability, biocompatibility and mechanical adaptability to the intervertebral disc environment, using a simple chemistry and method. The results show that the hydrogel has therapeutic effects on intervertebral disc degeneration and disc defect repair, demonstrating great translational potential for minimally invasive clinical treatment.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC TRANSLATION
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chao-yang Gong, Hai-hong Zhang
Summary: Autophagy plays a dual role in intervertebral disc degeneration, as inducing autophagy can slow down the process while excessive autophagy activation-mediated apoptosis may accelerate degeneration.
Article
Orthopedics
Xin Tian, Yijian Zhang, Lei Shen, Guoqing Pan, Huilin Yang, Zhenhuan Jiang, Xuesong Zhu, Fan He
Summary: This study revealed that Kartogenin (KGN) has protective effects on nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) by maintaining extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and inhibiting catabolic activities. This effect is achieved through activation of NRF2 and downstream antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, a KGN-enhanced self-healing hydrogel was developed and shown to ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and inflammation in a rat model. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of KGN in the treatment of NP degeneration.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC TRANSLATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Gunawan Widjaja, Abduladheem Turki Jalil, Hendrik Setia Budi, Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Syahril Efendi, Wanich Suksatan, Rauza Sukma Rita, Andri Praja Satria, Surendar Aravindhan, Marwan Mahmood Saleh, Mohammed Nader Shalaby, Alexei Valerievich Yumashev
Summary: The application of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes in treating degenerative diseases, especially intervertebral disc disease (IDD), shows promising results. MSCs exert therapeutic effects by differentiating, reducing apoptosis, increasing proliferation, and decreasing senescence in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). The application of MSCs and their exosomes also affects annulus fibrosus and cartilaginous endplate cells, preventing the progression of disc degeneration.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dana J. Rashid, Joseph R. Sheheen, Tori Huey, Kevin Surya, Jackson B. Sanders, John R. Horner, Jovanka Voyich, Susan C. Chapman
Summary: The development of modern birds provides insights into the biology of their dinosaur ancestors. This study investigates avian postnatal development and reveals that sterile inflammation plays a role in the formation of the pygostyle, a compound structure in the tail resulting from bone fusion. Transcriptome profiling and immuno/histochemistry indicate an inflammatory response resembling bone fracture healing. Necroptosis and heterophils, the avian equivalent of neutrophils, are found to be involved. The presence of nucleus pulposus structures and the inhibition of vertebral fusion by anti-inflammatory corticosteroid treatment further emphasize the importance of inflammation in developmental skeletogenesis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yingchuang Tang, Kai Zhang, Hongyou Zhou, Chenchen Zhang, Zixiang Liu, Hao Chen, Hanwen Li, Kangwu Chen
Summary: In this study, we constructed a keep-charging hydrogel microsphere system using magnesium ions and histidine-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-His-Mg2+), which effectively maintained cells active in the degenerative intervertebral disc microenvironment. The system showed enhanced NPC adhesion and proliferation and promoted the regeneration of NP tissue in the rat IVDD model.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Zhang, Shibin Shu, Zhenhua Feng, Yong Qiu, Hongda Bao, Zezhang Zhu
Summary: Stabilization of microtubules promotes the expression of COL2 in nucleus pulposus cells, alleviating disc degeneration. This study identifies microtubule as a promising therapeutic target for IDD and up-regulates COL2 synthesis via the Hippo-Yap pathway. Targeting microtubule acetylation may be an effective strategy for treating IDD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Weifeng Li, Pinghui Zhou, Bomin Yan, Meiyao Qi, Yedan Chen, Lijun Shang, Jianzhong Guan, Li Zhang, Yingji Mao
Summary: In this study, a light-sensitive injectable polysaccharide composite hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties was developed, which can promote cell proliferation, prevent inflammation, and promote intervertebral disc regeneration. The injection of this hydrogel further inhibited the local inflammatory response and reduced extracellular matrix degradation by inducing macrophage M2 polarization. This study proposes an attractive approach for intervertebral disc regeneration.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Kaori Suyama, Daisuke Sakai, Masahiko Watanabe
Summary: It has been reported that degenerated and herniated lumbar intervertebral discs express high levels of IL-17, indicating the presence of local immune reactions in patients with low back pain. Although clinical sample analyses from different laboratories confirm this, little is known about how IL-17 is induced in the pathology and its interactions with other inflammatory responses. This conscience review aims to organize current laboratory findings on this topic and provide a trajectory for a comprehensive understanding of the role of IL-17 in the pathology of intervertebral disc disease.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ruibang Wu, Leizhen Huang, Qinghong Xia, Zheng Liu, Yong Huang, Yulin Jiang, Juehan Wang, Hong Ding, Ce Zhu, Yueming Song, Limin Liu, Li Zhang, Ganjun Feng
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), which leads to lower back and neck pain, is characterized by loss of weight-bearing capacity. In this study, an injectable composite hydrogel mimicking the natural weight-bearing intervertebral disc was developed, with the ability to release melatonin to suppress inflammation. This approach effectively promotes tissue regeneration by modulating the inflammatory environment and harnessing the mechanical properties of the material.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria de los Angeles Erario, Eduardo Croce, Maria Teresita Moviglia Brandolino, Gustavo Moviglia, Anibal M. Grangeat
Summary: Ozone therapy for extruded disc herniation acts by modulating the immune response, activating macrophages to phagocytose the extruded nucleus pulposus. It facilitates the transition from an inflammatory phase to a reparative phase of macrophages. Further studies are needed to confirm this mechanism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daxue Zhu, Zhaoheng Wang, Guangzhi Zhang, Congwen Ma, Xiaoming Qiu, Yidian Wang, Mingqiang Liu, Xudong Guo, Haiwei Chen, Qiang Deng, Xuewen Kang
Summary: This study investigates the role of periostin (POSTN) in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and its relationship with beta-catenin. The expression of beta-catenin, POSTN, and cleaved-caspase-3 (C-caspase3) was found to be significantly higher in severely degenerated IVDs. Treatment with recombinant periostin (rPOSTN) promoted NPCs apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner through the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Inhibition of POSTN reduced apoptosis, which could be restored by re-addition of rPOSTN. Finally, POSTN inhibition ameliorated puncture-induced IVDD in vivo. Overall, this study demonstrates that POSTN promotes NPCs apoptosis and aggravates degeneration by activating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Gittel T. Gold, Devika M. Varma, Peter J. Taub, Steven B. Nicoll
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2015)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Huizi A. Lin, Michelle S. Gupta, Devika M. Varma, M. Lane Gilchrist, Steven B. Nicoll
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2016)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Devika M. Varma, Gittel T. Gold, Peter J. Taub, Steven B. Nicoll
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2014)
Article
Oncology
Michael D. Amatangelo, Shaun Goodyear, Devika Varma, Mark E. Stearns
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tanya Singh, Chandrasekhar Kothapalli, Devika Varma, Steven B. Nicoll, Maribel Vazquez
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS APPLICATIONS
(2014)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Gittel T. Gold, Devika M. Varma, David Harbottle, Michelle S. Gupta, Simone S. Stalling, Peter J. Taub, Steven B. Nicoll
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2014)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Leko Lin, Anat Perets, Yah-el Har-el, Devika Varma, Mengyan Li, Philip Lazarovici, Dara L. Woerdeman, Peter I. Lelkes
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2013)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Huizi Anna Lin, Devika M. Varma, Warren W. Hom, Michelle A. Cruz, Philip R. Nasser, Robert G. Phelps, James C. Iatridis, Steven B. Nicoll
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2019)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Devika M. Varma, M. Shamim Hasan Zahid, Eric M. Bachelder, Kristy M. Ainslie
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
D. M. Varma, H. A. Lin, R. G. Long, G. T. Gold, A. C. Hecht, J. C. Iatridis, S. B. Nicoll
EUROPEAN CELLS & MATERIALS
(2018)