Cell-Seeded Adhesive Biomaterial for Repair of Annulus Fibrosus Defects in Intervertebral Discs

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Defects in the annulus fibrosus (AF) of intervertebral discs allow nucleus pulposus tissue to herniate causing painful disability. Microdiscectomy procedures remove herniated tissue fragments, but unrepaired defects remain allowing reherniation or progressive degeneration. Cell therapies show promise to enhance repair, but methods are undeveloped and carriers are required to prevent cell leakage. To address this challenge, this study developed and evaluated genipin-crosslinked fibrin (FibGen) as an adhesive cell carrier optimized for AF repair that can deliver cells, match AF material properties, and have low risk of extrusion during loading. Part 1 determined that feasibility of bovine AF cells encapsulated in high concentration FibGen (F140G6: 140 mg/mL fibrinogen; 6 mg/mL genipin) for 7 weeks could maintain high viability, but had little proliferation or matrix deposition. Part 2 screened tissue mechanics and in situ failure testing of nine FibGen formulations (fibrin: 35-140 mg/mL; genipin: 1-6 mg/mL). F140G6 formulation matched AF shear and compressive properties and significantly improved failure strength in situ. Formulations with reduced genipin also exhibited satisfactory material properties and failure behaviors warranting further biological screening. Part 3 screened AF cells encapsulated in four FibGen formulations for 1 week and found that reduced genipin concentra

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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