Regenerative Capability of Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Degenerated Disc Under Hydrostatic Pressure Mimicking Physiologically Relevant Intradiscal Pressure In Vitro

Isolated human nucleus pulposus (hNP) cells from the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) were incubated under hydrostatic pressure (HP) and evaluated for regenerative potential. OBJECTIVES. To characterize metabolic turnover in hNP cells isolated from degenerated IVDs classified by Pfirrmann grade under physiologically relevant HP at high osmolality in vitro. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. We demonstrated that bovine caudal nucleus pulposus cells isolated from healthy cows produced more extracellular matrix under cyclic HP followed by constant pressure (mimicking physiological intradiscal pressure in humans) than under no pressure in vitro. We assessed the effects of pressure on human degenerated cells isolated under the same regimen of pressure used for bovine cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS. hNP cells isolated from discarded tissue classified as Pfirrmann grade 2 to 3 (n = 13: age, 46.7 ± 14.0) and grade 4 (n = 13: age, 53.0 ± 11.5) were incubated under cyclic HP at 0.2 to 0.7 MPa, 0.5 Hz for 2 days followed by constant pressure at 0.3 MPa for 1 day, repeated twice over 6 days. The gene expression and immunohistology of matrix molecules and catabolic and anticatabolic proteins were evaluated. RESULTS. Aggrecan and collagen type II expression were significantly more upregulated under HP in grades 2 to 3 than in grade 4 tissues (both, P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between matrix metalloproteinase 13 and tissue inhibitor for metalloproteinase 2 expression in grades 2 to 3, whereas a negative correlation was found in grade 4 (P < 0.05). Immunohistological staining revealed the activation of a mechanoreceptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid 4, under HP. CONCLUSIONS. Resident cells in mild-moderate degenerated discs classified as Pfirrmann grade 2 to 3 have the potential to promote extracellular matrix production and maintain adequate cell viability under physiological spinal loading. RELEVANCE. This study explored the potential of degenerated remnant nucleus pulposus cells under a physiological environment, possibly leading to establishing strategies for IVD regeneration.