Review
Polymer Science
Cosimo Ligorio, Judith A. Hoyland, Alberto Saiani
Summary: Low back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration is a major contributor to global disability. Current treatments are limited, and alternative strategies using soft biomaterials as injectable carriers for disc repair are being explored.
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)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gloria Young, Francesca Tallia, Jeffrey N. Clark, Manishankar Chellappan, Oriol Gavalda-Diaz, Enric Juan Alcocer, Silvia A. Ferreira, Sara M. Rankin, Joshua P. Clark, John Hanna, Jonathan R. T. Jeffers, Julian R. Jones
Summary: Researchers have developed tough materials with continuous composition and stiffness gradients using inorganic/organic hybrid materials that can be 3D printed. Through the use of sol-gel hybrid materials with interacting organic and inorganic co-networks, the mechanical behavior can be tuned. These materials have a wide range of mechanical properties, from elastomeric to glassy, and can be used in additive manufacturing of 3D structures. The development of seamless stiffness gradients has potential applications in biomimicry and tissue engineering.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2023)
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.
Review
Orthopedics
G. Chao-yang, C. Peng, Z. Hai-hong
Summary: This article summarizes the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of IVDD and its application in treatment.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2021)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Kaiwen Zheng, Dajiang Du
Summary: Hydrogels are considered ideal materials for treating intervertebral disc degeneration due to their unique properties and have drawn increasing attention in recent years. Numerous innovative hydrogel polymers have been generated, providing new possibilities for intervertebral disc regeneration. These novel hydrogel-based strategies may have important implications for intervertebral disc degeneration disease.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Li Wang, Guizhi Shen, Xuehai Yan
Summary: This review summarizes recent advances in peptide self-assembly, focusing on two main directions: peptide-based self-assembly and co-assembly with other functional molecules. Representative examples are provided for each part, and brief summaries of closely related applications are outlined at the end of each section.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hao Kong, Bin Liu, Guozheng Yang, Yun Chen, Gang Wei
Summary: The interactions between biomolecules and material interfaces are vital for the design and synthesis of functional bionanomaterials. This study demonstrates the self-assembly behavior of the GNNQQNY peptide on mica and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces, and investigates the effects of various factors on the formation of peptide nanofibers and nanoribbons. The results suggest that adjusting the experimental parameters effectively enables the formation of peptide nanoribbons on both material interfaces.
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)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zongtai Liu, Jiabo Zhu, Haiyan Liu, Changfeng Fu
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common clinical symptom and a significant cause of low back pain. The mechanisms involved in IDD include persistent inflammation, functional cell loss, accelerated extracellular matrix decomposition, imbalance of functional components, and genetic metabolic disorders. Inflammation interacts with other mechanisms and is closely associated with pain production. Natural substances with anti-inflammatory functions offer new options for mitigating degeneration and have potential clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bogdan Costachescu, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Raluca Ioana Teleanu, Bogdan Florin Iliescu, Marius Radulescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Marius Gabriel Dabija
Summary: This article introduces the harm of low back pain and the pathogenesis and treatment methods of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), focusing on bioactive compounds, cell therapy, and other emerging treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Marcus Raudner, Daniel F. Toth, Markus M. Schreiner, Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober, Vladimir Juras, Reinhard Windhager, Siegfried Trattnig
Summary: Synthetic images derived using GRAPPATINI can be used for clinical assessment with high inter-rater and intra-rater agreements comparable to conventional T2w TSE, indicating good diagnostic performance in routine clinical practice.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Guillaume Marc Albertini, Fabio Stabile, Oliver Marsh, Ane Uriarte
Summary: This study retrospectively evaluated neurological grade, MRI findings, surgical outcomes, and short-term recovery in French Bulldogs with intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE), comparing cervical and thoracolumbar IVDE. The results showed that thoracolumbar IVDE tended to cause more severe neurological dysfunction and required more extensive surgical treatment than cervical IVDE.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Wentao Zhang, Tianze Sun, Ying Li, Ming Yang, Yantao Zhao, Jing Liu, Zhonghai Li
Summary: Stem cell therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration is emerging as a potential treatment option, with evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials showing its effectiveness in relieving pain and symptoms, reversing the degenerative cascade, delaying the aging process, and maintaining spinal function. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and effects of stem cells in IDD treatment.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sebastian Wangler, Amir Kamali, Christina Wapp, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Sonja Haeckel, Claudia Fortes, Lorin M. Benneker, Lisbet Haglund, R. Geoff Richards, Mauro Alini, Marianna Peroglio, Sibylle Grad
Summary: MSC’s secretome composition was analyzed after exposure to different IVD environments, showing more complex secretome induced by IVD conditioned media compared to IL-1 beta stimulation. The secretome reflected different activity based on IVD pathological status, with implications for tailored secretome therapy development.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)