Fibroblast Transplantation Results to the Degenerated Rabbit Lumbar Intervertebral Discs

Abstract

Background:Our study is an analysis of the histological and radiological changes in degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs, after transplantation of fibroblasts in rabbits. With that study we aimed to show the viability of the fibroblasts injected to the degenerated discs, and observe their potential for further studies.Method:The apoptosis of the cell is one of the factors at the disc degeneration process. Fibroblasts may act as mesenchymal stem cells at the tissue to which they are injected and they may replace the apoptotic cells. The nucleus pulposus of the discs from eight rabbits were aspirated under scopic guidance to induce disc degeneration.Results:One month later, cultured fibroblasts, which had been taken from the skin, were injected into the disc. The viability and the potential of the injected cells for reproduction were studied histologically and radiologically. Cellular formations and organizations indicating to the histological recovery were observed at the discs to which fibroblasts were transplanted. The histological findings of the discs to which no fibroblasts were transplanted, did not show any histological recovery. Radiologically, no finding of the improvement was found in both groups. The fibroblasts injected to the degenerated discs are viable.Conclusion:The findings of improvement, observed in this study, suggest that fibroblast transplantation could be an effective method of therapy for the prevention or for the retardation of the degenerative disease of the discs.

Laser‐Induced Differentiation of Human Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells to Temporomandibular Joint Disc Cells

“…Since the TMJ disc is made of two‐thirds of fibroblasts and less than one‐third of chondrocytes, the results of the current study are promising and could promote various future investigations in TMJ disc tissue regeneration. A study described a novel treatment modality with the regeneration of spinal cord disks after the transplantation of fibroblasts into degenerated spinal disks of the rabbit [52]. It could be postulated that one could use differentiated ADSCs to replace the apoptotic cells of TMJ disc by process of transplantation.…”

Fibroblasts as a practical alternative to mesenchymal stem cells

“…Radiologically, no finding of the improvement was found in both groups. The fibroblasts injected to the degenerated discs are viable [ 90 ].…”

A proprietary GMP human platelet lysate for the expansion of dermal fibroblasts for clinical applications

“…Indeed, fibroblasts and MSCs share surface markers and a similar ability to differentiate and immunmodulate [1,5,7]. Ex vivo expanded fibroblasts are used extensively for the production of artificial skin for the treatment of burns and for other cell and tissue engineering applications including facial scars, diabetic foot ulcers, urinary incontinence, gingival repair [8,9], degenerative disc disease [10], epidermolysis bullosa, and cardiac or tendon regeneration [11], to mention only a few.…”