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Pretreatment with GW4869 impaired the promoting effects of M2c macrophages on extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). (a) Proliferation of NPCs co‐cultured with M2c macrophages pretreated with GW4869 was detected using EdU staining. (b) Migration of NPCs co‐cultured with M2c macrophages pretreated with GW4869 was detected using crystal violet staining at 12 and 24 h. (c, d) The expression of Col II, aggrecan, MMP13, and ADAMTS5 in NPCs co‐cultured with M2c macrophages pretreated with GW4869 was assessed using immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. Scale bar = 100 μm. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.
Source publication
Immuno‐inflammation is highly associated with anabolic and catabolic dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the nucleus pulposus (NP), which dramatically propels intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). With the characteristics of tissue remodeling and regeneration, M2c macrophages have attracted great attention in research on immune mo...
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Background
Chronic discogenic low back pain (LBP) poses a significant global burden, yet effective therapeutic interventions directly targeting the underlying degenerative process remain elusive. After demonstrating promising results in preclinical studies, intradiscal injection of cell‐based treatments has been increasingly investigated in the cli...
Citations
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially exosomes, have shown great therapeutic potential in the treatment of diseases, as they can target cells or tissues. However, the therapeutic effect of EVs is limited due to the susceptibility of EVs to immune system clearance during transport in vivo. Hydrogels have become an ideal delivery platform for EVs due to their good biocompatibility and porous structure. This article reviews the preparation and application of EVs-loaded hydrogels as a cell-free therapy strategy in the treatment of diseases. The article also discusses the challenges and future outlook of EVs-loaded hydrogels.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from low back pain and disability associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. IVD degeneration is highly correlated with aging, as the nucleus pulposus (NP) dehydrates and the annulus fibrosus (AF) fissures form, which often results in intervertebral disc herniation or disc space collapse and related clinical symptoms. Currently available options for treating intervertebral disc degeneration are symptoms control with therapy modalities, and/or medication, and/or surgical resection of the IVD with or without spinal fusion. As such, there is an urgent clinical demand for more effective disease-modifying treatments for this ubiquitous disorder, rather than the current paradigms focused only on symptom control. Hydrogels are unique biomaterials that have a variety of distinctive qualities, including (but not limited to) biocompatibility, highly adjustable mechanical characteristics, and most importantly, the capacity to absorb and retain water in a manner like that of native human nucleus pulposus tissue. In recent years, various hydrogels have been investigated in vitro and in vivo for the repair of intervertebral discs, some of which are ready for clinical testing. In this review, we summarize the latest findings and developments in the application of hydrogel technology for the repair and regeneration of intervertebral discs.
