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European Spine Journal

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01-09-2016 | Original Article

Distinguishing characteristics of stem cells derived from different anatomical regions of human degenerated intervertebral discs

Authors: Hai Wang, Yue Zhou, Tong-Wei Chu, Chang-Qing Li, Jian Wang, Zheng-Feng Zhang, Bo Huang

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 9/2016

Abstract

Introduction

Several types of stem cells have been successfully demonstrated to exist in the human degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD), which is composed of annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and cartilage endplate (CEP). However, the differences in the biological characteristics among these and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) remain unclear.

Materials and methods

To investigate this issue, cells were harvested from human AF, NP, CEP, and bone marrow, respectively; passage 2 cells were selected using the agarose suspension culture system to obtain stem cell clones. Following expansion in vitro, stem cells from different anatomical regions were compared regarding the morphology, proliferation ability, immunophenotypic expression, and multi-lineage differentiation capacity. In addition, stem cell-alginate bead compositions were constructed for the comparison of DNA and sGAG content.

Results

There were subtle differences regarding cell morphology, but no significant differences in proliferation ability among the four types of stem cells. For the immunophenotypic analysis, all stem cells basically fulfilled the criteria for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have been published by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), with a significant difference in CD105 expression. A comparison of the osteogenic capacities indicated: cartilage endplate-derived stem cells (CESCs) > annulus fibrosus-derived stem cells (AFSCs) > BM-MSCs > nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPSCs). The chondrogenesis difference was similar to osteogenesis. For adipogenesis: BM-MSCs >NPSCs >CESCs >AFSCs. In the stem cell/alginate composition, the CESCs consistently showed the superior chondrogenic potential among all those cell types.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that all the four types of stem cells shared some similar biological properties (regarding shape, proliferation ability and immunophenotypic expression). CESCs, which had the strongest osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials, may serve as excellent seed cells for NP/cartilage or bone tissue engineering.

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Title: Distinguishing characteristics of stem cells derived from different anatomical regions of human degenerated intervertebral discs
Authors: Hai Wang
Yue Zhou
Tong-Wei Chu
Chang-Qing Li
Jian Wang
Zheng-Feng Zhang
Bo Huang
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4522-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Distinguishing characteristics of stem cells derived from different anatomical regions of human degenerated intervertebral discs

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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