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Comparative Study
. 2004 Nov;205(5):357-62.
doi: 10.1111/j.0021-8782.2004.00352.x.

Cytomorphology of notochordal and chondrocytic cells from the nucleus pulposus: a species comparison

Christopher J Hunter  1 , John R Matyas, Neil A Duncan
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Cytomorphology of notochordal and chondrocytic cells from the nucleus pulposus: a species comparison

Christopher J Hunter et al. J Anat. 2004 Nov.

Abstract

The nuclei pulposi of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) contain a mixed population of cell types at various stages of maturation. This tissue is formed either by or with the help of cells from the embryonic notochord, which appear to be replaced during development by a population of chondrocyte-like cells of uncertain origin. However, this transition occurs at widely varying times, depending upon the species--or even breed--of the animal being examined. There is considerable debate among spine researchers as to whether the presence of these residual notochordal cells has a significant impact upon IVD degeneration models, and thus which models may best represent the human condition. The present study examines several different species commonly used in lumbar spine investigations to explore the variability of notochordal cells in the IVD.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comparison of cell cytomorphology from 2- and 5-year-old non-chondrodystrophoid mongrel dogs, 2-month-old mice, 2-month-old cats, 2-month-old ferrets, 3-month-old pigs, 2-month-old rats and 1-year-old rabbits. One-micrometre-thick optical slices; scale bar: 20 µm. Red: cell nuclei (propidium iodide), green: actin.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Comparison of aged animals; 5-year-old non-chondrodystrophoid mongrel dog, 4-year-old sheep and 16-month-old rats. One-micrometre-thick optical slices; scale bar: 20 µm. Red: cell nuclei, green: actin.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Comparison of chondrocyte-like (left) and notochordal (right) cells from 2-month-old rats; both cell types were found in the rat discs at all ages, but with a substantially reduced prevalence of notochordal cells in the older animal. One-micrometre-thick optical slices; scale bar: 20 µm. Red: cell nuclei, green: actin.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Comparison of 2-year-old non-chondrodystrophoid mongrel dogs (left) and 2-year-old chondrodystrophoid beagles (right). Three-dimensional reconstruction of 30 1-µm-thick optical slices; scale bar: 20 µm. Red: cell nuclei, green: actin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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