Injectable biomaterials and vertebral endplate treatment for repair and regeneration of the intervertebral disc

Abstract

The objectives of augmentation of the nucleus pulposus following disc removal are to prevent disc height loss and the associated biomechanical and biochemical changes. Flowable materials may be injected via a small incision, allowing minimally invasive access to the disc space. Fluids can interdigitate with the irregular surgical defects and may even physically bond to the adjacent tissue. Injectable biomaterials allow for incorporation and uniform dispersion of cells and/or therapeutic agents. Injectable biomaterials have been developed that may act as a substitute for the disc nucleus pulposus. Our work has focused on the evaluation of a recombinant protein copolymer consisting of amino acid sequence blocks derived from silk and elastin structural proteins as an injectable biomaterial for augmentation of the nucleus pulposus. This implant, NuCore TM Injectable Nucleus is being developed by Spine Wave (Shelton, CT). The NuCore

Study to determine the presence of progenitor cells in the degenerated human cartilage endplates

“…They are the largest avascular structure in the human body; the mature discs are almost totally reliant on the diffusion of essential solutes across the cartilage endplate (CEP) for nutrition and metabolic exchange [2,3]. Therefore, many researchers believe that CEP degeneration plays a crucial role in the initiation and development of degenerative disc disease (DDD) [4][5][6]. CEP degeneration includes many changes such as calcification of the CEP [7], depletion of proteoglycans from the CEP [8] and altered matrix synthesis [9].…”

Peptide-based biopolymers in biomedicine and biotechnology

“…Silk elastin-like polypeptides (SELPs) are chimeric proteins designed to retain the mechanical properties of silk, while incorporating the high solubility and environmental sensitivity of ELPs [139,161,168]. Some SELPs can be injected through hypodermic needles, and they then form insoluble hydrogels at the injection site without chemical assistance [162,[169][170][171].…”

Rheological characterization of the nucleus pulposus and dense collagen scaffolds intended for functional replacement

“…Disc space narrowing may result in discogenic pain or cause overloading in other structures including facet joints, ligaments and muscles by altered motion. 1 The long-term sequelae after discectomy significantly affects the quality of life of the relatively young and employed patient population and therefore has serious socio-economic consequences. This gave researchers the impetus to develop regenerative strategies that deal with the damaged intervertebral disc, especially the nucleus pulposus (NP).…”