Autor(es):
Reitmaier, Sandra 
; Kreja, Ludwika ; Gruchenberg, Katharina ; Kanter, Britta ; Correia, Joana Silva ; Oliveira, Joaquim M. ; Reis, R. L. ; Perugini, V. ; Santin, M. ; Ignatius, Anita ; Wilke, Hans-Joachim
Data: 2013
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/26928
Origem: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Assunto(s): Degeneration; In vivo; Intervertebral disc; Large animal model; One-step; Regeneration; Sheep
Descrição
Purpose Regenerative strategies aim to restore the original
biofunctionality of the intervertebral disc. Different
biomaterials are available, which might support disc
regeneration. In the present study, the prospects of success
of two hydrogels functionalized with anti-angiogenic peptides
and seeded with bone marrow derived mononuclear
cells (BMC), respectively, were investigated in an ovine
nucleotomy model.
Methods In a one-step procedure iliac crest aspirates
were harvested and, subsequently, separated BMC were
seeded on hydrogels and implanted into the ovine disc. For
the cell-seeded approach a hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel
was used. The anti-angiogenic potential of newly developed
VEGF-blockers was investigated on ionically crosslinked
metacrylated gellan gum hydrogels. Untreated discs
served as nucleotomy controls. 24 adult merino sheep were
used. After 6 weeks histological, after 12 weeks histological
and biomechanical analyses were conducted.
Results Biomechanical tests revealed no differences
between any of the implanted and nucleotomized discs. All
implanted discs significantly degenerated compared to
intact discs. In contrast, there was no marked difference
between implanted and nucleotomized discs. In tendency,
albeit not significant, degeneration score and disc height
index deteriorated for all but not for the cell-seeded
hydrogels from 6 to 12 weeks. Cell-seeded hydrogels
slightly decelerated degeneration.
Conclusions None of the hydrogel configurations was
able to regenerate biofunctionality of the intervertebral
disc. This might presumably be caused by hydrogel
extrusion. Great importance should be given to the development
of annulus sealants, which effectively exploit the
potential of (cell-seeded) hydrogels for biological disc
regeneration and restoration of intervertebral disc
functioning
