An in vitro investigation into the role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the control of disc degeneration

作者：Hu, Jinquan; Deng, Guoying; Tian, Ye; Pu, Yingyan; Cao, Peng^*; Yuan, Wen

来源：Molecular Medicine Reports, 2015, 12(4): 5701-5708.

DOI：10.3892/mmr.2015.4139

• mesenchymal stem cells
• disc degeneration
• apoptosis
• co-culture system
• migration
• tunneling nanotubes

Excessive apoptosis and high expression levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in disc cells have been reported to serve important roles in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Previous studies investigating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have indicated potential for their use in the treatment of IVDD. However, the therapeutic potential and anti-apoptotic ability of MSCs remains to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to establish an in vitro model for bone marrow-derived MSC (BMSC) therapy by investigating the anti-apoptotic effects, in addition to the migration of BMSCs to nucleus pulposus (NP) cells stimulated by IL-1 beta. A co-culture system of BMSCs and NP cells was founded. Following inflammatory stimulation, the NP cells exhibited increased indexes for inflammation-induced degeneration. The degenerative and apoptotic indexes were significantly reduced when NP cells were co-cultured with BMSCs. Compared with the indirect co-culture group, the direct co-culture group exhibited an improved capacity for anti-apoptosis. In addition, IL-1 beta-stimulated NP cells attracted and mediated the migration of BMSCs. Mitochondrial transfer from BMSCs to NP cells by tunneling nanotubes was also observed. In conclusion, the anti-apoptosis and the migration, in addition to mitochondrial transfer associated with BMSC treatments in IVDD, were investigated in vitro in the present study. The interaction between stimulated NP cells and BMSCs is likely involved in to simulating the in vivo process of stem cell-mediated repair.

• 出版日期2015-10
• 单位中国人民解放军第二军医大学; 天津市中医药研究院附属医院