Japanese Experts: Intervertebral Disk Function Restored By Ips Cells
A team of Japanese researchers say it has successfully restored intervertebral disk function in rats by implanting tissue derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells. The method could lead to the development of new treatments for low back pain.
Professor Tsumaki Noriyuki of Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Osaka University researchers and others conducted the study on nucleus pulposus, the inner core of the intervertebral disk.
They say intervertebral disk degeneration occurs when nucleus pulposus is damaged or dissipates. Such damage is a major cause of low back pain.
Analyzing it at a genetic level, they found that the jelly-like nucleus pulposus contains cells similar to those in cartilage.
The researchers created similar cartilaginous tissues using iPS cells and implanted them in the intervertebral disk of rats whose nucleus pulposus had been removed.
The group says six months later they found the rats had no intervertebral disk degeneration and the disks' shock absorber function was maintained.
Meanwhile, a group of rats without nucleus pulposus that didn't receive the iPS cells showed signs of tissue destruction and intervertebral disk degeneration.
Tsumaki says while there's currently no method to regenerate nucleus pulposus, the study shows the tissue created using iPS cells could be an implant candidate in regenerative treatment.