FETAL DECELLULARIZED NUCLEUS PULPOSUS MATERIAL AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING PHARMACEUTIC COMPOSITIONS TO BE USED IN THE TREATMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION AND BACK PAIN

摘要

The present invention refers to the use of a fetal-origindecellularized nucleus pulposus (NP) allogenic material to regenerate a host's Intervertebral Disc (IVD).In particular, the present invention refers a decellularized NPmaterial, obtained from a vertebrate fetus and characterized by comprising high levels of collagen 12 and 14, in a pharmacological composition to be used in the treatment of IVD degeneration.The invention is based on the increased ability of the said fetal decellularized NP material to stimulate the host constituent cell's to increase the expression of collagen 2 and aggrecan, promoting intrinsic IVD regeneration.The present invention further refers to the methods for preparing the said pharmaceutical compositions of fetal decellularized material in the form of fragments/microparticles and hydrogel for an injectable mode of administration.The use, material, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of the present invention may be advantageously used for the prevention and treatment of IVD degeneration and back pain in human and veterinary settings.