Injectable decellularized nucleus pulposus tissue exhibits neuroinhibitory properties

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Spinal Surgery

Background:

• Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a significant cause of disability, often linked to intervertebral disc degeneration.
• Loss of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) in degenerated discs allows nerve ingrowth, contributing to LBP.
• Current treatments for LBP are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a decellularized tissue hydrogel from porcine nucleus pulposus (NP) for potential LBP treatment.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's ability to inhibit neuro-infiltration into the intervertebral disc.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of the hydrogel as a biomaterial supplement.

Main Methods:

• Porcine NP tissue was decellularized to remove DNA and antigenic material while preserving sGAGs and collagen.
• The decellularized tissue was modified into an injectable, thermally gelling hydrogel.
• Mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, cell viability, and neuroinhibitory effects in vitro were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Decellularization removed 99% of DNA, retaining 74% sGAGs and 154% collagen.
• The resulting hydrogel exhibited suitable mechanical properties and supported NP cell viability and proliferation.
• The hydrogel significantly inhibited neuronal growth in vitro compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• A robust decellularization protocol yields a porcine NP-derived hydrogel with preserved sGAGs and collagen.
• This thermally gelling biomaterial demonstrates potent neuroinhibitory properties and supports cell viability.
• The developed hydrogel shows promise as an intervertebral disc supplement to prevent nerve ingrowth and treat LBP.