Intervertebral disc repair and regeneration: Insights from the notochord. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harfe, Brian D.
• Is Part Of: Seminars in cell & developmental biology. Volume 127(2022)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Notochord -- Nucleus pulposus -- Intervertebral disc -- Stem cell -- Disc degeneration; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1084-9521

Abstract

Abstract: The vertebrate notochord plays an essential role in patterning multiple structures during embryonic development. In the early 2000s, descendants of notochord cells were demonstrated to form the entire nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc in addition to their key role in embryonic patterning. The nucleus pulposus undergoes degeneration during postnatal life, which can lead to back pain. Recently, gene and protein profiles of notochord and nucleus pulposus cells have been identified. These datasets, coupled with the ability to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into cells that resemble nucleus pulposus cells, provide the possibility of generating a cell-based therapy to halt and/or reverse disc degeneration.