Support of Concept that Migrating Progenitor Cells from Stem Cell Niches Contribute to Normal Regeneration of the Adult Mammal Intervertebral Disc: A Descriptive study in the New Zeeland white Rabbit.

• ABSTRACT: Study Design. Descriptive experimental study performed in rabbits of two age groups.Objective. To study and investigate presence of prechondrocytic cells and cell migration routes in the IVD region, to gain knowledge about the normal IVD regeneration pattern.Summary of Background Data. Disc degeneration is believed to play a major role in patients with chronic lumbar pain. Regeneration processes and cell migration within the intervertebral disc (IVD) have been sparsely described. Therefore it is of interest to increase knowledge of these processes in order to understand pathological conditions of the IVD.Methods. 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in vivo labelling was performed in two groups of rabbits, 3 and 9 months old at the beginning of the experiment, in total 27 rabbits. BrdU is incorporated into DNA during mitosis and then it is gradually diluted with each cell division until it finally disappears. Incorporation of BrdU was then visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) at different time points providing cell division pattern and presence of slow-cycling cells in the IVD region. IVD tissue was investigated by IHC for: Growth- and differentiation-factor-5 (GDF5), SOX9 (chondrogenic lineage markers), SNAIL homolog1 (SNAI1), SNAIL homolog2 (SLUG)(migration markers) and β1-INTEGRIN (cellular adhesion marker). In addition, GDF5, SOX9 and BMPRIB expression were investigated on genetic level.Results. BrdU+ cells were observed in early time points in the IVD niche, adjacent to the epiphyseal plate, at later time points mainly in outer region of the annulus fibrosus (AF) for both age groups of rabbits, indicating a gradual migration of cells. The presence of SLUG, SNAI1, GDF5, SOX9 and β1-INTEGRIN were found in same regions.Conclusion. The results suggest a cellular migration route from the IVD stem cell niche toward the AF and the inner parts of the IVD. These findings may be of importance for understanding IVD regenerative mechanisms and for future development of biological treatment strategies.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Cellbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Cell Biology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

intervertebral disc

progenitor celler

stamcells nicher

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