[Comparison study on injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus constructed by different cells and chitosan...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Intervertebral disc degeneration is a significant clinical challenge.
• Nucleus pulposus (NP) regeneration requires suitable cell sources and scaffolds.
• Injectable tissue-engineered NP offers a promising therapeutic approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel.
• To determine the optimal cell type for injectable tissue-engineered nucleus pulposus.

Main Methods:

• NPCs and BMSCs were isolated and cultured from New Zealand rabbits.
• A thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel was prepared.
• Cell viability, morphology, distribution, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production were assessed.
• Gene expression of collagen type II and aggrecan was analyzed via RT-PCR.

Main Results:

• The chitosan hydrogel demonstrated excellent cell viability (>90%) for both NPCs and BMSCs.
• SEM revealed cells distributed within the scaffold with ECM deposition.
• Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed ECM production by both cell types.
• BMSCs showed significantly higher expression of collagen type II and aggrecan mRNA compared to NPCs (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel exhibits good cellular compatibility for both NPCs and BMSCs.
• BMSCs cultured within the chitosan hydrogel demonstrated superior cell shape, proliferation, and ECM biosynthesis compared to NPCs.
• BMSCs are a more suitable cell source for injectable tissue-engineered nucleus pulposus using this hydrogel system.