Stem Cell Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease

Abstract

Low back pain is widely recognized as one of the most prevalent pathologies in the developed world. In the United States, low back pain is the most common health problem for adults under the age of 50, resulting in significant societal and personal costs. While the causes of low back pain are myriad, it has been significantly associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Current first-line therapies for IVD degeneration such as physical therapy and spinal fusion address symptoms, but do not treat the underlying degeneration. The use of tissue engineering to treat IVD degeneration provides an opportunity to correct the pathological process. Novel techniques are currently being investigated and have shown mixed results. One major avenue of investigation has been stem cell injections. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise in small animal models, but results in larger vertebrates have been mixed.

Molecular Basis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Herniations: What Are the Important Translational Questions?

“…Several types of stem cells reported to have the potential to aid in repairing, delaying, or preventing intervertebral disc degeneration by repopulating the disc [19]. Stem cells differentiate into cells that create extracellular matrix and rebuild the disc and provide trophic effects such as upregulation of disc cell viability and inhibition of senescence and apoptosis [104].…”

Development of kartogenin-conjugated chitosan–hyaluronic acid hydrogel for nucleus pulposus regeneration

“…As discs degenerate, there is a decrease in the water content and a reduction in type II collagen and proteoglycans in the nucleus pulposus (NP), resulting in structural destruction and flattening of the disc. 1,2 Conventional approaches such as conservative treatment and surgical techniques can relieve the patients' clinical symptoms to some extent. 2,3 However, interest in developing biomaterials to regenerate the NP is growing dramatically, as biomaterials (with or without graft cells) provide a new strategy for restoring native tissue structures and the mechanical function.…”

“…1,2 Conventional approaches such as conservative treatment and surgical techniques can relieve the patients' clinical symptoms to some extent. 2,3 However, interest in developing biomaterials to regenerate the NP is growing dramatically, as biomaterials (with or without graft cells) provide a new strategy for restoring native tissue structures and the mechanical function. When the diseased NP tissue has been surgically removed, scaffolds constructed with biomaterials can be used for cell-and factordelivery, which is aimed at tissue regeneration and finally, rehabilitation of normal disc function.…”

Analysis of Pluripotent Cell in Post-circumcised Preputial Skin using Cold Transport Methods (Ice and Dry Ice) with Oct-4 Expression

“…Stem cell, a major discussion these past few years, is believed to be the key of future medicine. Stem cell from preputial skin can be beneficial both for the boy and his family for instance stem cell is thought to help severe burns and degenerative disc disorder although further studies are needed [4,5].…”

“…In Indonesia, burn is included in injury (cedera) cases with the prevalence of 8.2% nationally in 2013 [7]. As for his parent or adults; stem cell is important since studies show connection between degeneration of intervertebral disc to Low Back Pain (LBP), which is considered as an universal problem [4]. LBP is one of the world health issues, for example the prevalence of it in Australia has reached 25.6% and in China is 21.7% from the general community [8].…”