Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
Cell Diversity01:13

Cell Diversity

The concept of a cell started with microscopic observations of dead cork tissue by Robert Hooke in 1665. Hooke coined the term "cell" based on the resemblance of the small subdivisions in the cork to the rooms that monks inhabited, called cells. About ten years later, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek became the first person to observe the living and moving cells under a microscope. In the century that followed, the theory that cells represented the basic unit of life developed.
Multicellular organisms...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
Cellular Differentiation00:57

Cellular Differentiation

How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...
iPS Cell Differentiation01:22

iPS Cell Differentiation

The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Anti-inflammatory and anabolic effects of liraglutide on 3D inflammatory osteoarthritic spheroid and scaffold models of human chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2026
Same author

A Decade of Leadership and Impact: Celebrating 10 Years of the ORS Spine Section.

JOR spine·2026
Same author

Mechanistic insights into cartilage-sensory nerve crosstalk in osteoarthritis progression.

Journal of orthopaedic translation·2026
Same author

Single-Step Extrusion Printing of Microgrooved Annulus Fibrosus Scaffolds via Patterned Nozzles.

Journal of functional biomaterials·2026
Same author

Chondroitinase Versus Papain Digestion Leads to Different Outcome for In Vitro Simulation of Degenerated Discs.

JOR spine·2026
Same author

Exploring Injectable Scaffolded Spheroids for Nucleus Pulposus Therapy in Degenerated Intervertebral Discs.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.
05:46

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Published on: February 14, 2021

Diversity of intervertebral disc cells: phenotype and function.

Girish Pattappa1, Zhen Li, Marianna Peroglio

  • 1AO Research Institute Davos, Switzerland.

Journal of Anatomy
|June 13, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Understanding intervertebral disc (IVD) cell phenotypes is crucial for treating degenerative disorders. This review details diverse IVD cell types and their matrix, aiding regenerative therapies.

More Related Videos

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
06:22

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Published on: July 8, 2021

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc
08:03

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

Published on: April 11, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.
05:46

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Published on: February 14, 2021

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
06:22

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Published on: July 8, 2021

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc
08:03

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

Published on: April 11, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cell Biology
  • Orthopedics

Background:

  • The intervertebral disc (IVD) is vital for spinal flexibility and load transmission.
  • It comprises nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF), and cartilaginous endplate (CEP), each with unique cells and matrix.
  • Imbalance in matrix turnover leads to IVD degeneration, a common disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse cell types within the intervertebral disc (IVD).
  • To highlight the distinct phenotypical characteristics of NP, AF, and CEP cells.
  • To emphasize the importance of understanding these cells for developing regenerative therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on human and other species' IVD cell research.
  • Analysis of cellular and extracellular matrix characteristics.
  • Examination of cell markers and progenitor cell differentiation.

Main Results:

  • IVD cells exhibit distinct phenotypes: rounded NP cells in proteoglycan-rich matrix, elongated AF cells in collagenous matrix, and CEPs as cartilage.
  • IVD cells differ phenotypically from articular chondrocytes.
  • Specific markers have improved understanding of progenitor cell differentiation into IVD cells.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of IVD cell diversity and phenotypes is essential for successful regenerative medicine.
  • Cell and tissue engineering approaches must consider the specific characteristics of IVD tissues and their functional context.
  • Further research into IVD cell biology will advance therapeutic strategies for disc degeneration.