Development and Translation of a Tissue-Engineered Disc in a Preclinical Rodent Model.

摘要

Disc injury through trauma, vibration loading, or mechanical overload, and the resulting disc degeneration in response to these insults over time are tremendous problems affecting the active and veteran military population. Current treatment options fail to restore disc structure and mechanical function. Our goal in this proposal is to develop methodologies for the engineering and implanting of a functional biologic disc replacement. Significant progress has been made in the last 12 months towards achieving this goal. We have successfully engineered a concentric annulus fibrosus, the functional properties of which improve with culture time. We have shown the dynamic culture further enhances functional matrix deposition. We have shown that a short period of exposure to transforming at a high dose is equal to or better than long term exposure for stem cells cultured in an engineered nucleus pulposus-like hyaluronan hydrogel. We have developed and validated a minimally invasive surgical technique for implantation of our engineered disc. We have successfully performed in implantation of acellular engineered discs. Finally, we have designed and implemented a novel internal fixation device to enhance retention of the engineered disc and stabilize the joint during healing.