'Rumours of my death may have been greatly exaggerated': a brief review of cell death in human intervertebral disc disease and implications for cell transplantation therapy. (20th July 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, W.E.B.; Roberts, S.
• Is Part Of: Biochemical Society transactions. Volume 35:Number 4(2007)
• Page Start: 680
• Page End: 682
• Publication Date: 2007-07-20
• Subjects: apoptosis -- cell transplantation -- degenerative disc disease -- intervertebral disc -- scoliosis -- tissue repair; Biochemistry -- Congresses; 572
• DOI: 10.1042/BST0350680
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-5127

Abstract

Abstract : The avascular nature of the human intervertebral disc is thought to reduce the ability of resident disc cells to maintain their extracellular matrix, rendering the tissue susceptible to degeneration. It has also been suggested that the lack of a blood supply may result in disc cell death via nutrient deprivation. Therefore transplanting new cells into the disc to promote tissue regeneration would be akin to 'putting cells in a coffin' and doomed to failure. This review considers the available evidence for cell death in the human intervertebral disc, describing briefly the methods used to assay such death, and concludes that further analysis is required to ascertain whether extensive cell death truly is a marked feature of human intervertebral discs and whether it bears any relationship to disc degeneration and hence regenerative strategies.