Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Dalin Wang, Alon Lai, Jennifer Gansau, Philip Nasser, Yunsoo Lee, Damien M. Laudier, James C. Iatridis
Summary: This study established an ex-vivo rat lumbar endplate injury model and characterized the effects of endplate injury on motion segment biomechanical properties. Compared to annulus fibrosus injury, endplate injury had the greatest impact on axial biomechanical properties, while annulus fibrosus injury primarily affected torsional properties.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Farshid Ghezelbash, Amir Hossein Eskandari, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl, Morteza Kazempour, Javad Tavakoli, Mostafa Baghani, John J. Costi
Summary: The study developed three novel models of human AF with complex collagen and elastic fiber networks and compared their performance with seven published models. The importance of accurately simulating individual lamellae as distinct layers, and testing parameters in constructing and validating AF constitutive models was emphasized. Variations in sample geometry and boundary conditions significantly affected stress-strain responses in tissue-level tests, indicating the need to replicate experimental conditions closely in model studies.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Marcus Raudner, Markus M. Schreiner, Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober, Michael Weber, Anna Szelenyi, Reinhard Windhager, Vladimir Juras, Siegfried Trattnig
Summary: The study evaluated GRAPPATINI, an accelerated T-2 mapping sequence that combines undersampling and model-based reconstruction to facilitate clinical implementation of T-2 mapping of the lumbar intervertebral disc. Results showed that T2 values obtained using GRAPPATINI were significantly different for normal discs compared to bulging or herniated discs, as well as discs with and without annular tears. The study concluded that GRAPPATINI can be used as a quantitative imaging biomarker to detect disc pathologies while significantly reducing acquisition time.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Anran Zhang, Zhangrong Cheng, Yuhang Chen, Pengzhi Shi, Weikang Gan, Yukun Zhang
Summary: Low back pain is a common issue affecting 80% of the global population, often caused by intervertebral disc herniation. There is no consensus on the best approach for annulus fibrosus (AF) regeneration. This review summarizes strategies for AF repair, including ideal cell types and pro-differentiation targeting approaches, and discusses the prospects and challenges of implant systems combining cells and biomaterials for guiding future research directions.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Doudou Jing, Wei Wu, Xiangyu Deng, Yizhong Peng, Wenbo Yang, Donghua Huang, Zengwu Shao, Dong Zheng
Summary: The study demonstrates that cadmium induces apoptosis of annulus fibrosus cells contributing to intervertebral disc degeneration, with the involvement of the PI3K/AKT signal pathway and FoxO1a. This research provides insight into the mechanism by which smoking contributes to IVDD, presenting a potential new target for prevention.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mitchell I. Page, Jeremiah T. Easley, Andres F. Bonilla, Vikas V. Patel, Christian M. Puttlitz
Summary: A novel tissue engineered implant for annulus fibrosus repair, fabricated via three-dimensional fiber deposition, demonstrated functional efficacy in both ex vivo and in vivo studies.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yi Zheng, Borui Xue, Bin Wei, Bing Xia, Shengyou Li, Xue Gao, Yiming Hao, Yitao Wei, Lingli Guo, Haining Wu, Yujie Yang, Xueli Gao, Beibei Yu, Yongfeng Zhang, Shijie Yang, Zhuojing Luo, Teng Ma, Jinghui Huang
Summary: The repair of annulus fibrosus (AF) defect after discectomy in the intervertebral disc (IVD) has been a challenge due to hostile microenvironments, particularly compression and hypoxia. This study developed a oxygen-releasing scaffold using perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA) core-shell fibers to promote endogenous repair in the AF. The oxygen released from the PFTBA fibers protected annulus fibrosus stem cells (AFSCs) from hypoxia-induced apoptosis and promoted proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production in AFSCs. In vivo studies showed that the oxygen-supplying fibers improved disc degeneration after discectomy by enhancing disc height and morphological integrity.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Isabel N. Tromp, Jasper Foolen, Marina van Doeselaar, Ying Zhang, Danny Chan, Moyo C. Kruyt, Laura B. Creemers, Rene M. Castelein, Keita Ito
Summary: The progression of curvature in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may be due to irreversible changes in the intervertebral discs. Research has shown that AF cells from fast-healing LG/J mice are more capable of remodeling and realigning their collagen fibers compared to C57BL/6J mice, which could contribute to the faster disc wedging progression observed in LG/J mice.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Minhao Zhou, Erin S. Archibeck, Yarah Feteih, Yousuf Abubakr, Grace D. O'Connell
Summary: Growing clinical evidence suggests a correlation between diabetes and more frequent and severe intervertebral disc failure. This study used a combined experimental-computational approach to evaluate the effect of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on annulus fibrosus (AF) tensile mechanics. The results showed that AGEs increase AF bulk tensile mechanical properties at the risk of tissue mechanical failure or catabolic remodeling. Computational results indicate that crosslinks along the fiber direction account for the increased tissue stiffness with glycation.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qifan Yu, Feng Han, Zhangqin Yuan, Zhuang Zhu, Changjiang Liu, Zhengdong Tu, Qianping Guo, Runze Zhao, Weidong Zhang, Huan Wang, Haijiao Mao, Bin Li, Caihong Zhu
Summary: In this study, researchers developed a nanofibrous scaffold loaded with fucoidan, a natural marine polysaccharide with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative functions, to alleviate the adverse microenvironment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The results showed that the fucoidan-loaded scaffold significantly decreased the expression of genes and proteins related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, it reduced the degradation of extracellular matrix and promoted disc repair, indicating promising potential for IDD treatment.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengfei Zhu, Xiexing Wu, Li Ni, Kai Chen, Zhongchen Dong, Jiacheng Du, Fanchen Kong, Yubo Mao, Huaqiang Tao, Miao Chu, Haiqin Mao, Huilin Yang, Qinbai Liu, Minfeng Gan, Dechun Geng
Summary: This study suggests that downregulation of PP2A can reduce apoptosis and degeneration of intervertebral disc cells. Inhibition of PP2A may be a potential therapeutic target for IVDD.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ryan Borem, Allison Madeline, Chris Theos, Ricardo Vela, Alex Garon, Sanjitpal Gill, Jeremy Mercuri
Summary: The study found that these scaffolds have the potential to promote the repair of defects in the annulus fibrosus, thus preventing recurrent intervertebral disc herniations.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Joana Caldeira, Adam Celiz, Nicolas Newell
Summary: This study proposed a biomechanical testing method to evaluate the ability of bioadhesives to seal annulus fibrosus tears. The results showed that the tough hydrogel adhesive could effectively restore the burst pressure of intervertebral discs, providing a new approach for the treatment of disc degeneration.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bibhas K. Bhunia, Souradeep Dey, Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay, Biman B. Mandal
Summary: The study demonstrated the fabrication of biomimetic annulus fibrosus (AF) anatomical structure using 3D printing technology, showing potential for intervertebral disc function restoration. The printed constructs exhibited fiber alignment mimicking native tissue and had higher mechanical strength than native porcine AF tissue. Cell survival and proliferation were supported, suggesting a new direction for disc replacement therapy.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Xiangjiang Wang, Rahul Gawri, Changbin Lei, Joon Lee, Gwendolyn Sowa, Rita Kandel, Nam Vo
Summary: The study demonstrates that polyP can enhance synthesis of important substances and increase ATP production in intervertebral disc cells. These findings suggest that polyP may serve as a crucial energy source for disc cells.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Arjan C. Y. Loenen, David C. Noriega, Carlos Ruiz Wills, Jerome Noailly, Pierce D. Nunley, Rainer Kirchner, Keita Ito, Bert van Rietbergen
Summary: Finite element analysis was used to predict the biomechanical effects of adjusting posterior instrumentation, showing that it may cause excessive forces on screws and non-physiological joint loading.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Baumgartner, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Christine L. Le Maitre, Francis Wignall, Stephen M. Richardson, Judith Hoyland, Carlos Ruiz Wills, Miguel A. Gonzalez Ballester, Michael Neidlin, Leonidas G. Alexopoulos, Jerome Noailly
Summary: Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc are a major risk factor for low back pain, with accelerated progression in some individuals as they age. Understanding the disease requires identifying key regulatory processes at various levels, from cells to organs. Experimental research and computational modeling have contributed significantly to our understanding of cell signaling pathways and complex interactions within the intervertebral disc.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Peter Endre Eltes, Marton Bartos, Benjamin Hajnal, Agoston Jakab Pokorni, Laszlo Kiss, Damien Lacroix, Peter Pal Varga, Aron Lazary
Summary: A new method utilizing CT scan, 3D reconstruction, FEA analysis, CAD design, and 3D printing technology was proposed to assist surgeons in performing optimal surgical technique for revision surgery of non-union at the lumbosacral level, specifically addressing complications such as broken screws. Results showed that the modified bicortical convergent insertion technique is stiffer compared to monocortical divergent placement, indicating the potential for improved surgical outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pinaki Bhattacharya, Qiao Li, Damien Lacroix, Visakan Kadirkamanathan, Marco Viceconti
Summary: The study proposes a method to define scale based on measurement limitations and variations in time and space, and uses it to construct a multiscale modelling methodology. This methodology can be easily adapted to a wide range of engineering problems.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Arjan C. Y. Loenen, Jerome Noailly, Keita Ito, Paul C. Willems, Jacobus J. Arts, Bert van Rietbergen
Summary: This study used patient-specific finite element models to evaluate local strain patterns on the surface of trussed titanium interbody fusion cages in lumbar spine fusion surgery. The results showed that approximately 30% of the cage surface experienced strain values relevant for preserving bone homeostasis and stimulating bone formation. Variations in surface strains and endplate contact pressures were more dependent on loading conditions rather than between individual patients.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Peter Endre Eltes, Mate Turbucz, Jennifer Fayad, Ferenc Bereczki, Gyoergy Szoke, Tamas Terebessy, Damien Lacroix, Peter Pal Varga, Aron Lazary
Summary: 25 special forces members have completed a 3-month training course and successfully adapted to various environments. They will participate in local counter-terrorism operations and other special missions, and continue training.
FRONTIERS IN SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Segarra-Queralt, Michael Neidlin, Laura Tio, Jordi Monfort, Joan Carles Monllau, Miguel A. Gonzalez Ballester, Leonidas G. Alexopoulos, Gemma Piella, Jerome Noailly
Summary: This study proposes a network-based model at the chondrocyte level to explain the complex mechanisms of osteoarthritis progression. By analyzing literature and enriching the network, we obtained a molecular interaction network that represents chondrocyte activity and accurately predicts the outcomes of OA treatment based on experimental data.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Simone Tassani, Laura Tio, Francisco Castro-Dominguez, Jordi Monfort, Juan Carlos Monllau, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Ballester, Jerome Noailly
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between clinical treatment choice, gait functionality, and kinetics in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Results showed that functionality was related to treatment decisions, but age and body mass index were also influencing factors.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Paola Bermudez-Lekerika, Katherine B. Crump, Sofia Tseranidou, Andrea Nueesch, Exarchos Kanelis, Ahmad Alminnawi, Laura Baumgartner, Estefano Munoz-Moya, Roger Compte, Francesco Gualdi, Leonidas G. Alexopoulos, Liesbet Geris, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Christine L. Le Maitre, Jerome Noailly, Benjamin Gantenbein
Summary: Low back pain is a common and serious medical condition caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD leads to abnormal extracellular matrix production and metabolic changes, triggering a cascade of degenerative processes. Immune cells and inflammatory factors can accelerate this process, but catabolic ECM disruption can also occur without immune cell infiltration. Various factors, including environmental conditions and genetics, can induce this metabolic imbalance. Understanding immune modulation and the role of intervertebral disc cells in IDD is crucial for the treatment of back pain.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Segarra-Queralt, Gemma Piella, Jerome Noailly
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, inflammation, and pain. Mechanical loads can induce changes in chondrocyte gene expression through mechanotransduction, leading to either chondroprotection or cartilage degradation. This study develops a network model to simulate the effects of mechanical loads on chondrocyte activity, showing that inflammation and excessive loading have negative effects on chondrocyte metabolism, and anti-inflammatory therapies may be promising for OA management.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Morteza Rasouligandomani, Alex del Arco, Ferran Pellise, Miguel Gonzalez A. Ballester, Fabio Galbusera, Jerome Noailly
Summary: This retrospective observational study aimed to improve prediction accuracy of proximal junctional failure (PJF) by using biomechanical and geometrical descriptors. The study found that bending moment (BM) was the most effective in discriminating PJF cases, while other geometrical descriptors did not adequately predict PJF.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jun Pan, Damien Lacroix, Yilu Zhou, Bin Wang
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Maria Segarra-Queralt, Michael Neidlin, Laura Tio, Miguel Angel Gonzalez-Ballester, Gemma Piella, Jerome Noailly
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jordi Mill, Victor Agudelo, Chi Hion Li, Jerome Noailly, Xavier Freixa, Oscar Camara, Dabit Arzamendi
Summary: This study identified key blood flow characteristics leading to device-related thrombosis (DRT) in patients treated with left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) using patient-specific flow simulations. Stagnant blood flow, recirculation with low flow velocities, and regions with high flow complexity combined with low wall shear stress were found to be the most relevant factors associated with DRT. Patient-specific flow simulations were successfully used to predict blood flow patterns with different device configurations, showing potential for optimal settings to minimize the risk of DRT.
REC-INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Gianluca Ascolani, Timothy M. Skerry, Damien Lacroix, Enrico Dall'Ara, Aban Shuaib
Summary: Osteoporosis is characterized by brittle bone and increased fracture incidence, posing a high burden on health systems. The intricate relationship between biochemical and mechanical stimulations is believed to maintain healthy bones, with disturbances to this balance thought to lead to osteoporosis. The mechanotransduction process plays a key role in bone health, though details and mechanisms at the cellular and molecular scales remain elusive.