An injectable nucleus pulposus cell-modified decellularized scaffold: biocompatible material for prevention of disc degeneration.

We developed a nucleus pulposus cell (NPC)-modulated decellularized small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffold, and assessed the ability of this material to prevent Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD) degeneration. Decellularized porcine SIS was squashed into particles and the biological safety and efficiency of these particles were evaluated. Next, SIS particles were seeded with rabbit NPCs, cultured for two months in vitro, decellularized again and suspended for intervertebral injection. We demonstrated that use of the decellularization protocol resulted in the removal of cellular components with maximal retention of extracellular matrix. The xenogeneic decellularized SIS did not display cytotoxicity in vitro and its application prevented NPC degradation. Furthermore, the xenogeneic SIS microparticles were effective in preventing IVD progression in vivo in a rabbit disc degeneration model. In conclusion, our study describes an optimized method for decellularized SIS preparation and demonstrated that the material is safe and effective for treating IVD degeneration.