Putting the Pieces in Place: Mobilizing Cellular Players to Improve Annulus Fibrosus Repair

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)

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is an integral load-bearing tissue that derives its function from its composite structure and extracellular matrix composition. IVD herniations involve the failure of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the extrusion of the nucleus pulposus beyond the disc boundary. Disc herniations can impinge the neural elements and cause debilitating pain and loss of function, posing a significant burden on individual patients and society as a whole. Patients with persistent symptoms may require surgery; however, surgical intervention fails to repair the ruptured AF and is associated with the risk for reherniation and further disc degeneration. Given the limitations of AF endogenous repair, many attempts have been made toward the development of effective repair approaches that reestablish IVD function. These methods, however, fail to recapitulate the composition and organization of the native AF, ultimately resulting in inferior tissue mechanics and function over time and high rates of reherniation. Harnessing the cellular function of cells (endogenous or exogenous) at the repair site through the provision of cell-instructive cues could enhance AF tissue regeneration and, ultimately, improve healing outcomes. In this study, we review the diverse approaches that have been developed for AF repair and emphasize the potential for mobilizing the appropriate cellular player

Evidence level

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

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