Conclusion
Taken together, our results suggest that a MSC-highTR-loaded XHA scaffold supports IVD regeneration more effectively than a MSC-lowTR-loaded XHA scaffold. This study supports the potential clinical use of MSC-highTR-loaded XHA scaffolds to halt IVD degeneration or to enhance IVD regeneration.
Methods
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (XHA) scaffold loaded with human WJ-MSCs, according to their expression levels of transforming growth factor-β receptor I/activin-like kinase receptor 5 (TβRI/ALK5) and TβRII, for IVD regeneration in a rabbit model. We compared the degree of IVD regeneration between rabbits transplanted with a XHA scaffold loaded with WJ-MSCs highly and lowly expressing TβRI/ALK5 and TβRII (MSC-highTR and MSC-lowTR, respectively) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological analysis.
Results
At 12 weeks after transplantation, T2-weighted MRI analysis showed significant restoration of the disc water content in rabbits treated with a MSC-highTR-loaded XHA scaffold in comparison to rabbits treated with the scaffold alone or a MSC-lowTR-loaded XHA scaffold. In addition, morphological and histological analyses revealed that IVD regeneration was highest in rabbits transplanted with a MSC-highTR-loaded XHA scaffold.