The effects of mechanical load on human intervertebral disc cells

The precise mechanisms by which human intervertebral discs (IVD) respond to load remains unknown and are a challenge to investigate in vitro. In this study, a novel mechanical loading system was devised, built, tested and successfully used to apply hydrostatic pressure to nucleus pulposus (NP) and a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Frain, Jennie
Published: University of Manchester 2007
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Online Access:http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.493463
Description
Summary:The precise mechanisms by which human intervertebral discs (IVD) respond to load remains unknown and are a challenge to investigate in vitro. In this study, a novel mechanical loading system was devised, built, tested and successfully used to apply hydrostatic pressure to nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosis (AF) cells and explants obtained from human nondegenerate and degenerate IVD. Cells were removed from the IVD, cultured in monolayer to generate sufficient numbers and subsequently embedded in alginate constructs prior to application of dynamic cyclic hydrostatic pressure at physiological levels.