Effect of Compression Loading on Human Nucleus Pulposus-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Purpose Mechanical loading plays a vital role in the progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, but little is known about the effect of compression loading on human nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs). Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of compression on the biological behavior of NP-MSCs in vitro. Methods Human NP-MSCs were isolated from patients undergoing lumbar discectomy for IVD degeneration and were identified by immunophenotypes and multilineage differentiation. Then, cells were cultured in the compression apparatus at 1.0 MPa for different times (0 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h). The viability-, differentiation-, and differentiation-related genes (Runx2, APP, and Col2) and colony formation-, migration-, and stem cell-related proteins (Sox2 and Oct4) were evaluated. Results The results showed that the isolated cells fulfilled the criteria of MSC stated by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). And our results also indicated that compression loading significantly inhibited cell viability, differentiation, colony formation, and migration. Furthermore, gene expression suggested that compression loading could downregulate the expression of stem cell-related proteins and lead to NP-MSC stemness losses. Conclusions Our results suggested that the biological behavior of NP-MSCs could be inhibited by compression loading and therefore enhanced our understanding on the compression-induced endogenous repair failure of NP-MSCs during IVDD.

Interaction between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Intervertebral Disc Microenvironment: From Cell Therapy to Tissue Engineering

“…NPCy [37], while static prolonged loading diminished cell viability, migration, differentiation, and stemness [110].…”

“…This has been also demonstrated by previous studies showing an increased NP-like differentiation upon dynamic loading of AD-MSCs [108] and the acquisition of an AF-like phenotype by BM-MSCs when exposed to radial compressive stimulation [109]. Differently from dynamic loading, static prolonged loading (1 MPa, >24 h) significantly diminished NP-MSC viability, migration, differentiation, CFU formation, and stemness-related gene expression, suggesting that biomechanical overload might be a cause of endogenous repair failure for IVD regeneration [110]. However, in a coculture experiment involving AD-MSCs and NPCy undergoing high prolonged loading (3 MPa for 48 h), the presence of AD-MSCs resulted in a reduction on NPCy apoptosis via the inhibition of activated caspase-9 and 3 as well as in an upregulation of ECM genes with diminished expression of metalloproteinases and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) [111].…”

The effect of high glucose on the biological characteristics of nucleus pulposus‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

“…SCXK (Su) 2013‐0011). The NPMSC were isolated as described previously . In brief, NP tissues were separated carefully under microscope and cut into small pieces.…”

Puerarin Relieved Compression-Induced Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Nucleus Pulposus Mesenchymal Stem Cells via the PI3K/Akt Pathway

“…All procedures were approved by the medical ethics committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. As previously described [31], the NP tissues were isolated from the patients of lumbar disc hernia by a dissecting microscope and washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and were then dissected and digested for 6 h in 0.25% type II collagenase (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) at 37°C. Samples were then centrifuged twice at 300 × g for 5 min, suspended, and cultured in a complete medium for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (Cyagen, USA) at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO 2 .…”