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Updated: Feb 3, 2026
08:03
An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc
Published on: April 11, 2017
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Age-dependent changes in intervertebral disc cell mitochondria and bioenergetics
R Hartman, P Patil, R Tisherman
1Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research, 200 Lothrop St., E1648 University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.von@upmc.edu.
European Cells & Materials
|October 19, 2018
Summary
Aging impairs intervertebral disc cell mitochondria and bioenergetics, particularly in nucleus pulposus cells. These age-related bioenergetic declines contribute to disc degeneration and matrix homeostasis disruption.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cellular bioenergetics is crucial for intervertebral disc matrix homeostasis.
- Age-related decline in disc cellular bioenergetics is linked to intervertebral disc degeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on intervertebral disc cell mitochondria and bioenergetics.
- To compare age-related changes in annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) cells.
Main Methods:
- Assessed matrix content, cellularity, matrix synthesis, proliferation, and senescence in rabbit disc cells.
- Measured cellular bioenergetic parameters using a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer.
- Quantified mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential.
Main Results:
- Aging reduced mitochondrial number and membrane potential in both AF and NP cells.
- NP cells showed decreased glycolytic capacity, mitochondrial reserve capacity, and aerobic capacity with age.
- Older NP cells exhibited reduced matrix synthesis and cellularity; AF cells showed altered glycolysis and matrix production.
Conclusions:
- Aging significantly impacts mitochondrial function and bioenergetics in intervertebral disc cells, especially NP cells.
- Age-related bioenergetic deficits in NP cells may drive functional alterations contributing to disc degeneration.
- This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related disc degeneration.
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