Aquaporin expression in the human intervertebral disc

The nucleus pulposus (NP) of the human intervertebral disc (IVD) is a hyperosmotic tissue that is subjected to daily dynamic compressive loads. In order to survive within this environment the resident chondrocyte-like cells must be able to control their cell volume, whilst also controlling the anabolism and catabolism of their extra-cellular matrix. Recent studies have demonstrated expression of a range of bi-directional, transmembrane water and solute transporters, named aquaporins (AQPs), within chondrocytes of articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to use immunohistochemsitry to investigate the expression of aquaporins 1, 2 and 3 within the human IVD. Results demonstrated expression of both AQP-1 and -3 by cells within the NP and inner annulus fibrosus (AF), while outer AF cells lacked expression of AQP-1 and showed very low numbers of AQP-3 immunopositive cells. Cells from all regions were negative for AQP-2. Therefore this study demonstrates similarities in the phenotype of NP cells and articular chondrocytes, which may be due to similarities in tissue osmolarity and mechanobiology. The decrease in expression of AQPs from the NP to the outer AF may signify changes in cellular phenotype in response to differences in mechanbiology, osmolarity and hydration between the gelatinous NP and the fibrous AF.     

A new non-enzymatic method for isolating human intervertebral disc cells preserves the phenotype of nucleus pulposus cells

Cells isolated from intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues of human surgical samples are one of potential sources for the IVD cellular therapy. The purpose of this study was to develop a new non-enzymatic method, “tissue incubation”, for isolating human IVD cells. The IVD tissues of annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) were incubated separately in tissue culture flasks with culture medium. After 7–10 days incubation, cells were able to migrate out of IVD tissues and proliferate in vitro. After 3–4 weeks culture, expanded cells were harvested by trypsinization, and the remaining tissues were transferred to a new flask for another round of incubation. The molecular phenotype of IVD cells from juvenile and adult human samples was evaluated by both flow cytometry analysis and immunocytochemical staining for the expression of protein markers of NP cells (CD24, CD54, CD239, integrin α6 and laminin α5). Flow cytometry confirmed that both AF and NP cells of all ages positively expressed CD54 and integrin α6, with higher expression levels in NP cells than in AF cells for the juvenile group sample. However, CD24 expression was only found in juvenile NP cells, and not in AF or older disc cells. Similar expression patterns for NP markers were also confirmed by immunocytochemistry. In summary, this new non-enzymatic tissue incubation method for cell isolation preserves molecular phenotypic markers of NP cells and may provide a valuable cell source for the study of NP regeneration strategies.     

Reduced nucleus pulposus glycosaminoglycan content alters intervertebral disc dynamic viscoelastic mechanics

The intervertebral disc functions over a range of dynamic loading regimes including axial loads applied across a spectrum of frequencies at varying compressive loads. Biochemical changes occurring in early degeneration, including reduced nucleus pulposus glycosaminoglycan content, may alter disc mechanical behavior and thus may contribute to the progression of degeneration. The objective of this study was to determine disc dynamic viscoelastic properties under several equilibrium loads and loading frequencies, and further, to determine how reduced nucleus glycosaminoglycan content alters dynamic mechanics. We hypothesized that (1) dynamic stiffness would be elevated with increasing equilibrium load and increasing frequency, (2) the disc would behave more elastically at higher frequencies, and finally, (3) dynamic stiffness would be reduced at low equilibrium loads under all frequencies due to nucleus glycosaminoglycan loss. We mechanically tested control and chondroitinase ABC injected rat lumbar motion segments at several equilibrium loads using oscillatory loading at frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 5 Hz. The rat lumbar disc behaved non-linearly with higher dynamic stiffness at elevated compressive loads irrespective of frequency. Phase angle was not affected by equilibrium load, although it decreased as frequency was increased. Reduced glycosaminoglycan decreased dynamic stiffness at low loads but not at high equilibrium loads and led to increased phase angle at all loads and frequencies. The findings of this study demonstrate the effect of equilibrium load and loading frequencies on dynamic disc mechanics and indicate possible mechanical mechanisms through which disc degeneration can progress.     

Exploiting notochord cells for stem cell-based regeneration of the intervertebral disc

The nucleus pulposus is an avascular and aneural tissue that has significant influence on the homeostasis and overall function of the intervertebral disc. The nucleus pulposus is comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells including large notochord cells and smaller chondrocyte-like cells. Loss of notochord cells has been correlated with the pathogenesis of disc degeneration and consequently, it has been hypothesized that regeneration of the disc could be mediated by notochord cells. Attempts to grow and expand notochord cells in vitro have thus far been limited by cell availability and ineffective culturing methodologies. As a result, co-culturing techniques have been developed in order to exploit notochord-derived signals for the differentiation of proliferative mesenchymal stem cells. A recent study by Korecki et al. has demonstrated that notochord cell conditioned medium has the ability to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells toward a nucleus pulposus-like fate, producing high levels of glycosaminoglycans and type III collagen. These findings suggest that growth factors and other soluble proteins may be able to stimulate endogenous IVD tissue maintenance in vivo. While this study advances our understanding of intervertebral disc cell-cell interactions, limitations remain in our ability to determine the phenotype of terminally differentiated cells within the nucleus pulposus (ie mature notochord cells) and therefore assess the relevance of differentiated mesenchymal stem cells for disc regeneration. In order for the field to progress, elucidation of the notochord phenotype remains of utmost importance.     

CD24 is expressed specifically in the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs

Intervertebral disc (IVD) consists of a soft gelatinous material in its center, the nucleus pulposus (NP), bounded peripherally by fibrocartilage, annulus fibrosus (AF). Despite the number of patients with IVD degeneration, gene expression analysis has not been undertaken in NP and therefore little is known about the molecular markers expressed in NP. Here, we undertook a microarray screen in NP with the other nine tissues to identify the specific cell surface markers for NP. Five membrane associating molecules out of 10,490 genes were identified as highly expressing genes in NP compared with the other tissues. Among them, we identified CD24, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor protein as a cell surface marker for NP. CD24 expression was also detected in the herniated NP and chordoma, a malignant primary tumor derived from notochordal cells, while it was absent in chondrosarcoma. Therefore, CD24 is a molecular marker for NP as well as the diseases of IVD.     

Ultrastructureofthe human intervertebral disc. I. Changes in notochordal cells with age

We examined nucleus pulposus notochordal cells of individuals ranging in age from the eighth week of fetal life to 32 years of age. With increasing age, notochordal cell structure changed, as did the cell-to-cell relationships and the cell-to-matrix relationships. All notochordal cells contained normal organelles, including welldeveloped endoplasmic reticulum, but, in addition, fetal notochordal cells demonstrated an unusual relationship between rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria: elements of the rough endoplasmic reticulum encircled almost every mitochondrion. Fetal notochordal cells contained large amounts of glycogen, while older cells had much smaller glycogen deposits. Cytoplasmic filaments were observed in cells of all ages. The cells formed tightly packed clusters in the fetus with little, if any, extracellular matrix between individual cells. Cells separated from each other with age and by the twenty-first week of fetal life, only slender strands of cytoplasm connected them. Previous light microscopic studies described notochordal cells as ‘physaliphorus’ cells since they appeared to contain large cytoplasmic vacuoles. However, electron microscopy showed that these apparent vacuoles consist of extracellular matrix surrounded by cells or cell processes. The structure of notochordal cells and their persistence in the nucleus pulposus after fetal life suggest that they may have a significant role in the formation and maintenance of the nucleus pulposus.     

Accelerated intervertebral disc degeneration in scoliosis versus physiological ageing develops against a background of enhanced anabolic gene expression

Molecular consequences of long-term deformation and altered mechanical loading of intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue in scoliosis have yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that histological disc degeneration is faster in scoliosis than in normal ageing and that this is reflected by an altered gene expression profile. A semiquantitative histodegeneration score (HDS) revealed significantly enhanced degeneration in scoliosis (HDS 5.3) versus age-matched control IVDs (HDS 2.25; p = 0.001). Gene expression analysis by cDNA array and RT-PCR demonstrated higher mRNA levels for extracellular-matrix molecules like aggrecan, biglycan, decorin, lumican, chondromodulin, and COL2A1 in scoliotic discs versus normal discs of identical degeneration score. No differences were evident for catabolic molecules like MMP3, MMP13, MMP17, and TIMP1. In sum, morphologic disc degeneration was accelerated by about 2 decades in scoliosis versus physiological ageing and developed against a background of stronger anabolic matrix metabolism at younger age or in response to the altered mechanical environment of the tissue.     

Sox9治疗兔椎间盘退变的效果及机制研究

目的:探究Sox9用于治疗椎间盘退变的效果及调控机制。方法:将Ad-sox9和Ad-GFP各20μL分别转染至椎间盘退变兔的髓核组织中,转染后3、7、30、60天取材,采用免疫组化、免疫荧光和MRI等研究方法检测椎间盘髓核组织中II型胶原、蛋白多糖的表达情况,并分析对椎间盘退变的改善情况。结果:免疫组化染色显示sox9组中椎间盘髓核组织中II型胶原、蛋白多糖的表达明显升高,MRI显示sox9组椎间盘T2像信号有明显改善(P<0.05)。结论:体内转染腺病毒介导的sox9基因能够增加椎间盘内II型胶原和蛋白多糖的表达,并抑制椎间盘的退变进程。     

Validation and application of an intervertebral disc finite element model utilizing independently constructed tissue-level constitutive formulations that are nonlinear,anisotropic, and time-dependent

Finite element (FE) models are advantageous in the study of intervertebral disc mechanics as the stress–strain distributions can be determined throughout the tissue and the applied loading and material properties can be controlled and modified. However, the complicated nature of the disc presents a challenge in developing an accurate and predictive disc model, which has led to limitations in FE geometry, material constitutive models and properties, and model validation. The objective of this study was to develop a new FE model of the intervertebral disc, to validate the model?s nonlinear and time-dependent responses without tuning or calibration, and to evaluate the effect of changes in nucleus pulposus (NP), cartilaginous endplate (CEP), and annulus fibrosus (AF) material properties on the disc mechanical response. The new FE disc model utilized an analytically-based geometry. The model was created from the mean shape of human L4/L5 discs, measured from high-resolution 3D MR images and averaged using signed distance functions. Structural hyperelastic constitutive models were used in conjunction with biphasic-swelling theory to obtain material properties from recent tissue tests in confined compression and uniaxial tension. The FE disc model predictions fit within the experimental range (mean±95% confidence interval) of the disc?s nonlinear response for compressive slow loading ramp, creep, and stress-relaxation simulations. Changes in NP and CEP properties affected the neutral-zone displacement but had little effect on the final stiffness during slow-ramp compression loading. These results highlight the need to validate FE models using the disc?s full nonlinear response in multiple loading scenarios.     

Cell shape and gene expression in human intervertebral disc cells: in vitro tissue engineering studies

The objective of the present study was to examine the relation between gene expression and the shape of human intervertebral disc cells cultured in vitro in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds. Disc cells from 19 subjects were seeded into either a collagen sponge or collagen gel and cultured for 10 days. In situ hybridization was performed on serial sections of paraffin embedded specimens and assessed for expression of selected genes important for extracellular matrix formation: Types I and II collagen, aggrecan and chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase. Rounded cells grown in collagen gel showed expression of Types I and II collagen, aggrecan and chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase; expression of these genes was absent in spindle shaped cells. Cells in the collagen sponge that lay on the sponge margin were frequently spindle shaped; these cells expressed type I collagen, but not type II collagen, aggrecan or chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase. Results presented here provide novel data concerning disc cell gene expression with collagen 3D constructs. This information is useful for future tissue engineering studies that have the challenging goal of selectively modulating gene expression.     

Cell shape and gene expression in human intervertebral disc cells: in vitro tissue engineering studies

The objective of the present study was to examine the relation between gene expression and the shape of human intervertebral disc cells cultured in vitro in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds. Disc cells from 19 subjects were seeded into either a collagen sponge or collagen gel and cultured for 10 days. In situ hybridization was performed on serial sections of paraffin embedded specimens and assessed for expression of selected genes important for extracellular matrix formation: Types I and II collagen, aggrecan and chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase. Rounded cells grown in collagen gel showed expression of Types I and II collagen, aggrecan and chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase; expression of these genes was absent in spindle shaped cells. Cells in the collagen sponge that lay on the sponge margin were frequently spindle shaped; these cells expressed type I collagen, but not type II collagen, aggrecan or chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase. Results presented here provide novel data concerning disc cell gene expression with collagen 3D constructs. This information is useful for future tissue engineering studies that have the challenging goal of selectively modulating gene expression.     

MSC response to pH levels found in degenerating intervertebral discs

Painful degenerative disc disease is a major health problem and for successful tissue regeneration, MSCs must endure and thrive in a harsh disc microenvironment that includes matrix acidity as a critical factor. MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of Sprague-Dawley rats from two different age groups (<1 month, n = 6 and 4-5 months, n = 6) and cultured under four different pH conditions representative of the healthy, mildly or severely degenerated intervertebral disc (pH 7.4, 7.1, 6.8, and 6.5) for 5 days. Acidity caused an inhibition of aggrecan, collagen-1, and TIMP-3 expression, as well as a decrease in proliferation and viability and was associated with a change in cell morphology. Ageing had generally minor effects but young MSCs maintained greater mRNA expression levels. As acidic pH levels are typical of increasingly degenerated discs, our findings demonstrate the importance of early interventions and predifferentiation when planning to use MSCs for reparative treatments.     

正常山羊腰椎间盘营养途径的DCE-MRI观察

目的 研究正常山羊腰椎间盘软骨终板营养途径.方法 选取健康24月龄山羊8只,每只山羊观察4个腰椎间盘,共32个腰椎间盘.麻醉后,行磁共振动态增强扫描,观察感兴趣区的信号变化特点.分别测量增强前及增强后0 min、5 min、10 min、30 rain、1 h、1.5 h、2 h,2.5 h、3 h、3.5 h感兴趣区信号强度值,分析时间-信号强度曲线及峰值出现时间.结果 椎体磁共振信号强度在0 min时达到高峰后迅速下降;软骨终板区在30 min时缓慢达到第一高峰后轻度下降,于2 h上升达到第二高峰;髓核在5 min内为负值,之后缓慢上升于2 h达到高峰,随后逐渐下降.结论 正常山羊腰椎椎间盘主要通过软骨终板途径进行营养代谢.     

Quantitation of collagen I,collagen II and aggrecan mRNA and expression of the corresponding proteins in human nucleus pulposus cells in monolayer cultures

Cells that are taken from the nucleus pulposus (NP) and that are allowed to proliferate in monolayer cultures often exhibit changes in their cell morphology and matrix-protein synthesis. However, whether concomitant alterations occur with respect to their mRNA levels for collagen I (CI), collagen II (CII) and aggrecan (AGG) is unclear. In this study, human NP cells from seven individuals were cultured in monolayers and specific mRNAs for CI, CII and AGG were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction in fresh NP tissue and during four passages of NP-cell culture. In addition, the presence of CI, CII and AGG protein was determined by immunofluorescence staining of NP cells. We found a significant reduction of CI, CII and AGG mRNA after the initiation of culture in DMEM compared with mRNA levels in fresh NP tissue. During passages 2–4, no further reduction of mRNA levels for CII and AGG was observed. The mRNA level for CI was reduced significantly with duration of culture. Immunofluorescence staining of cultured NP cells revealed expression of CI, CII and AGG protein during the whole culture period. Our data thus demonstrate a reduction of specific mRNA for matrix proteins during the initiation of NP-cell culture but the stable expression of the key matrix proteins, CII and AGG, during further expansion of the cells in monolayers, suggesting no functional changes occur in cultured NP cells. This work was supported by the Medizinisch-wissenschaftlicher Fonds des Buergermeisters der Stadt Wien (grant no. 2177).