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Review
. 2022 Feb 11;13(1):70.
doi: 10.1186/s13287-022-02745-y.

Application of stem cells in the repair of intervertebral disc degeneration

Wentao Zhang #  1 , Tianze Sun #  1 , Ying Li  2   3 , Ming Yang  1 , Yantao Zhao  4 , Jing Liu  2   3 , Zhonghai Li  5   6   7   8
Affiliations
Review

Application of stem cells in the repair of intervertebral disc degeneration

Wentao Zhang et al. Stem Cell Res Ther. .

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common disease that increases with age, and its occurrence is stressful both psychologically and financially. Stem cell therapy for IDD is emerging. For this therapy, stem cells from different sources have been proven in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials to relieve pain and symptoms, reverse the degeneration cascade, delay the aging process, maintain the spine shape, and retain mechanical function. However, further research is needed to explain how stem cells play these roles and what effects they produce in IDD treatment. This review aims to summarize and objectively analyse the current evidence on stem cell therapy for IDD.

Keywords: Intervertebral disc; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Repair; Reverse degeneration; Stem cell; Therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
IL and TNF-α are involved in multiple pathological processes of IDD. AF annulus fibrosus, CEP cartilaginous endplates, ECM extracellular matrix, IL interleukin, IVD intervertebral disc, NP nucleus pulposus, TNF tumor necrosis factor
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The main functions for stem cells in the context of degenerative IVD. ECM extracellular matrix, IFN interferon, IL interleukin, IVD intervertebral disc; PGE prostaglandin E, TNF tumor necrosis factor
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Diagram of stem cell therapy for IVD degeneration. (A) Stem cell acquisition in vitro. (B) Stem cells and control group inject into degenerative IVD in vivo. (C) Tools to detect the role of stem cells in the degenerative disc. IPSCs induced pluripotent stem cells, IVD intervertebral disc
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Diagram of the application of stem cell vectors. IVD intervertebral disc; NP nucleus pulposus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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