CHEMICALLY DEFINED MEDIUM WITH TGF-β_3 ENHANCES MATRIX ELABORATION BY NUCLEUS PULPOSUS CELLS ENCAPSULATED IN NOVEL PHOTOCROSSLINKED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE HYDROGELS

摘要

Back pain is a significant clinical concern often attributed to degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and the associated dehydration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) [1]. The NP is a gel-like tissue at the center of the disc, rich in proteoglycans and type II collagen that functions to resist compressive forces through the generation of a hydrostatic swelling pressure [2]. Tissue engineering strategies may provide a viable NP replacement therapy as an alternative to current surgical procedures.