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Intervertebral disc decellularisation: progress and challenges
European Cells & Materials
|October 6, 2021
Summary
Decellularised extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds from intervertebral discs (IVDs) show promise for treating low-back pain (LBP) caused by disc degeneration. These tissue-engineered biomaterials offer a potential clinical solution for IVD repair and regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a leading cause of low-back pain (LBP), affecting over 80% of the population and imposing a significant socio-economic burden.
- Current clinical solutions for IVD repair and regeneration remain limited, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in decellularised extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffolds for intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration.
- To discuss the optimization of decellularization methods, sterilization, recellularization techniques, and biocompatibility testing for IVD tissue engineering.
- To address the impact of donor profiles and explore clinical perspectives and challenges for decellularised ECM biomaterials in treating disc degeneration and LBP.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on decellularisation techniques (physical, chemical, enzymatic) for IVD tissue.
- Analysis of recellularisation strategies using various cell types and assessment of biocompatibility.
- Evaluation of sterilization procedures and donor selection criteria for therapeutic efficacy.
Main Results:
- Optimized decellularisation methods yield cell-free IVD scaffolds that retain native ECM structure, composition, and mechanical properties.
- Successful recellularisation strategies and biocompatibility tests are crucial for driving effective IVD regeneration.
- Donor profile significantly influences the therapeutic success of decellularised ECM-based treatments.
Conclusions:
- Tissue-engineering strategies utilizing decellularised IVD ECM represent a promising advancement for treating disc degeneration and associated low-back pain.
- Further research and development are needed to overcome hurdles for the clinical translation of these biomaterials.
- Decellularised IVD scaffolds offer a potential path towards halting or reversing the degenerative cascade and improving patient quality of life.
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