AUTHOR=Chen Chen , Huang Yizhuo , Shi Lei , Zhou Li , Zhou Shenao , Wan Hongjin , Yang Xiao , Zhao Jie TITLE=Allogeneic fibroblasts ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration by reducing osteophytes in rabbits JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=11 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1488727 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2024.1488727 ISSN=2296-858X ABSTRACT=Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) was commonly induced by intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), which is accompanied by the loss of disc height and osteophyte generation. Cell-based therapy is a promising treatment for preventing the degeneration of interverbral disc. In our study, allogeneic fibroblasts are shown to ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration by reducing osteophytes in rabbits.

Methods

We established a rabbits-derived fibroblast (Rab-Fib) which could be expanded in vitro and constructed puncture-induced intervertebral disc degeneration rabbit model. Histologic and imaging examinations and analyses were performed after 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months.

Results

Our data indicate that stable and reliably-extracted allogeneic fibroblasts can effectively ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration by reducing osteophytes.

Conclusion

Our study provides a basis for advancing the further translation of fibroblasts in intervertebral disc therapy.