Evaluation of regenerative processes in the pig model of intervertebral disc degeneration after transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

INTRODUCTION: The pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease (DDD) is complex and not fully understood. While surgical treatment and appropriate rehabilitation offer relief of acute symptoms, there is a need to find tissue engineering strategies for intervertebral disc repair to restore healthy higher and histological structure. The purpose of this study was to estimate the survival rate of transplanted cells and their post-delivery integration level at the damage site.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used an <i>in vivo</i> porcine model to investigate autogenic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) transplantation for intervertebral disc repair. In our experiment we used a large animal model of DDD induced by percutaneous laser light deliveries. The percutaneous approach has also been used for delivery of BM-MSCs into the intervertebral disc space.

RESULTS: After MSC transplantation, we observed a deceleration of the degenerative process in the intervertebral disc, relative to degenerative discs without MSC transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS: By using a large animal model that mimicked the development of intervertebral degenerative disc disease, the present results are indicative of the clinical feasibility of this procedure.