Enrichment of committed, chondroitin sulfate-expressing human nucleus pulposus cells over progenitors under alginate encapsulation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence has suggested a heterogeneous NP cell population in adult human IVDs [1, 2], possibly a result of cells being at different differentiation states. The heterogeneous cell populations include the primitive NP cells (also regarded as notochordal NP cells) [1, 2], mature NP cells, and local disc progenitors [1] with various capacities in proteoglycan production other than chondrocytic NP cells. Cross-linked alginate hydrogel provides a favorable three-dimensional microenvironment for promotion of chondrogenic phenotype [3] with enhanced biosynthesis of proteoglycans (PGs) and collagen II. It has been widely used as a bioactive scaffold for engineering of ...