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In vivo macrophage recruitment by murine intervertebral disc cells
N S Rand1, J M Dawson, S F Juliao
1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Journal of Spinal Disorders
|August 2, 2001
Summary
Viable intervertebral disc cells, not just structural components, recruit inflammatory cells. This finding suggests viable cells contribute to inflammation in disc herniation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cell Biology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Intervertebral disc herniation is a common condition often associated with inflammation.
- The precise mechanisms driving inflammation in disc herniation are not fully understood.
- It remains unclear whether inflammation results from exposed disc tissues or active cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of viable intervertebral disc cells in recruiting inflammatory cells.
- To differentiate between inflammation induced by cellular secretions and that caused by exposed matrix components.
Main Methods:
- An in vivo murine model was utilized to assess inflammatory cell recruitment.
- Three types of tissue preparations were implanted: viable disc cells with matrix, viable annulus fibrosus cells only, and devitalized disc components.
- Macrophage recruitment was quantified at 1, 2, and 7 days post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Significant macrophage recruitment was observed following exposure to viable disc tissue.
- No substantial inflammatory cell recruitment occurred with devitalized disc components.
- The degree of macrophage recruitment increased over the observed time course.
Conclusions:
- Viable intervertebral disc cells actively recruit inflammatory cells.
- The presence of viable cells, rather than solely structural components, is crucial for initiating inflammation in this model.
- These findings indicate that viable disc cells play a direct role in the inflammatory processes associated with disc herniation.
