[Advances of nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration].

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the research of nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration.

METHODS

The original articles in recent years about nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration were extensively reviewed, and retrospective and comprehensive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Nucleus pulposus cells are not only simply a remnant of embryonic notochordal cells, but have also an important influence on the well-being of the whole disc. The biological treatment strategies aim to regenerate the disc by either trying to improve the micro-environment within the disc or to increase the population of the nucleus pulposus, which includes transplanting mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into nucleus-like cells in the degenerated intervertebral disc.

CONCLUSION

Nucleus pulposus cells or nucleus pulposus like cells based cell transplantation methods prove to be a promising and realistic approach for the intervertebral disc regeneration.