Spheroid-Based Tissue Engineering Strategies for Regeneration of the Intervertebral Disc

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Andrea Barbero¹  Ivan Martin¹  Olga Krupkova²  Jesil Kasamkattil²  Arne Mehrkens²  Stefan Schären²  Anna Gryadunova² 

[1] Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland;Spine Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland;

关键词: nucleus pulposus;    annulus fibrosus;    cell therapy;    regenerative medicine;    intervertebral disc degeneration;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms23052530

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Degenerative disc disease, a painful pathology of the intervertebral disc (IVD), often causes disability and reduces quality of life. Although regenerative cell-based strategies have shown promise in clinical trials, none have been widely adopted clinically. Recent developments demonstrated that spheroid-based approaches might help overcome challenges associated with cell-based IVD therapies. Spheroids are three-dimensional multicellular aggregates with architecture that enables the cells to differentiate and synthesize endogenous ECM, promotes cell-ECM interactions, enhances adhesion, and protects cells from harsh conditions. Spheroids could be applied in the IVD both in scaffold-free and scaffold-based configurations, possibly providing advantages over cell suspensions. This review highlights areas of future research in spheroid-based regeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF). We also discuss cell sources and methods for spheroid fabrication and characterization, mechanisms related to spheroid fusion, as well as enhancement of spheroid performance in the context of the IVD microenvironment.

【 授权许可】

Unknown