Significance
We developed adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived scaffold-free tissue engineered construct (ADSC-TEC) as a novel cell therapy system. The ADSC-TEC implantation into a rat total-nucleotomized disc space regenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) histologically and biomechanically. The regenerative capacity of the ADSC-TEC was exerted by its trophic effects on annulus fibrosus cells and the load-sharing effect at intervertebral space. Interestingly, the regenerated IVDs by the ADSC-TEC was less susceptible to the age-related deterioration than the IVDs of normal rats. Thus, the application of ADSC-TEC into the degenerated disc can be an alternative therapy for various disease associated with structural and functional failure of IVDs.
Statement of significance
We developed adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived scaffold-free tissue engineered construct (ADSC-TEC) as a novel cell therapy system. The ADSC-TEC implantation into a rat total-nucleotomized disc space regenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) histologically and biomechanically. The regenerative capacity of the ADSC-TEC was exerted by its trophic effects on annulus fibrosus cells and the load-sharing effect at intervertebral space. Interestingly, the regenerated IVDs by the ADSC-TEC was less susceptible to the age-related deterioration than the IVDs of normal rats. Thus, the application of ADSC-TEC into the degenerated disc can be an alternative therapy for various disease associated with structural and functional failure of IVDs.