Adipose-derived stromal cells protect intervertebral disc cells in compression: implications for stem cell regenerative disc therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal biomechanics plays a role in intervertebral disc degeneration. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) have been implicated in disc integrity; however, their role in the setting of mechanical stimuli upon the disc's nucleus pulposus (NP) remains unknown. As such, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of ADSCs upon NP cells in compressive load culture.
METHODS: Human NP cells were cultured in compressive load at 3.0MPa for 48 hours with or without ADSCs co-culture (the ratio was 50:50). We used flow cytometry, live/dead staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate cell death, and determined the expression of specific apoptotic pathways by characterizing the expression of activated caspases-3, -8 and -9. We further used real-time (RT-) PCR and immunostaining to determine the expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM), mediators of matrix degradation (e.g. MMPs, TIMPs and ADAMTSs), pro-inflammatory factors and NP cell phenotype markers.
RESULTS: ADSCs inhibited human NP cell apoptosis via suppression of activated caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, ADSCs protected NP cells from the degradative effects of compressive load by significantly up-regulating the expression of ECM genes (SOX9, COL2A1 and ACAN), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) genes (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) and cytokeratin 8 (CK8) protein expression. Alternatively, ADSCs showed protective effect by inhibiting compressive load mediated increase of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs; MMP-3 and MMP-13), disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs; ADAMTS-1 and 5), and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1beta, IL-6, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first in vitro study assessing the impact of ADSCs on NP cells in an un-physiological mechanical stimulation culture environment. Our study noted that ADSCs protect compressive load induced NP cell death and degradation by inhibition of activated caspase-9 and -3 activity; regulating ECM and modulator genes, suppressing pro-inflammatory factors and preserving CK8. Consequently, the protective impact of ADSCs found in this study provides an essential understanding and expands our knowledge as to the utility of ADSCs therapy for intervertebral disc regeneration.

Introduction

Low back pain is the world's most disabling condition, affecting 80% of the population at one point in time. 1, 2 While the causes of low back pain are multifactorial, it has been generally associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). 3 Currently, available surgical and conservative treatment options are mostly aimed at relieving symptoms, rather than modifying the pathological processes.

Macroscopically, the intervertebral disc consists of three regions: nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF) and cartilaginous endplates. In the normal human disc, the central NP is made of extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed by NP cells, which account for 1% of the tissue volume. In the progression of IDD, proteoglycan together with water content in the NP decreases. The gelatinous NP tissue becomes fibrous, further propogating IDD, and cracks and fissures may develop in the AF that may instigate the introduction of nerve fibers which may lead to the generation of pain. 4, 5 The etiology of IDD is attributed to numerous factors, such as age progression, genetics, lifestyle/environmental, and abnormal or altered biomechanics. 6, 7 In this aspect, numerous studies have noted that abnormal compressive load could lead to changes in disc cell synthesis and gene expression for collagens, proteoglycans and protease activation, as well as cell apoptosis. 8-10

To combat the effects of IDD in hopes to repair/regenerate the disc and even alleviate pain, the application of stem cell therapy has made tremendous strides in the past decade in various animal models and for patient use. 11-13 In the adult, there are a large number of potential sources of stem cells, including adipose tissue, bone marrow, and other tissues. Notably, adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) have been shown as a promising candidate with the convenience of availability and abundance. 14 While a great number of studies have focused on the differentiation of stem cells towards the NP cell phenotype in various conditions, some reports have suggested trophic influence of stem cells on degenerated NP cells. In particular, studies have demonstrated that marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can upregulate the viability of NP cells in direct co-culture systems. 15, 16 In a study by Strassburg et al, 17 stem cells were shown to stimulate the endogenous NP cell population to regain a non-degenerate phenotype. Also, Miyamoto et al 18 found that matrix metalloproteinase-related genes in rabbit NP cells were suppressed by synovial mesenchymal stem cells. Caplan et al 19 noted that MSCs secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors that exert beneficial functions for tissue repair. Consistent with these findings, our previous study has also showed that ADSCs could restore the functions of degenerated NP cells with up-regulated expression of COL2A1, ACAN, and COL6A2 following direct co-culture of these two types of cells. 20

Although ADSCs hold promise, their “impact” on NP cells in compressive load culture remains unknown. Since biomechanics is essential component to the integrity of the disc, an abnormal load could lead to apoptosis of NP cells and degeneration. However, whether ADSCs restore the detrimental influence of the mechanical factors upon the disc remains unanswered. In fact, mechanical stimuli, such as abnormal compressive load, are important factors in actual in vivo stem cell transplantation as most degenerated discs may be in un-physiological biomechanical environment. To date, there have been no studies addressing the impact of ADSCs on NP cells with regard to compressive load cultures. As such the present study addressed the influence of ADSCs upon NP cells in compressive load culture to further understand their role, in particular their utility for IDD regenerative therapies

Materials and Methods

Tissue Collection

The current study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Review Board of Xijing Hospital. Human NP samples and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained as described previously. 7 Briefly, written informed consents were collected from each patient. NP tissues were obtained from patients with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing anterior discectomy and fusion (n=8; average age 19.6 (range 16-26) years). The lipoaspirated fat tissues were obtained from volunteers (n=8; average age 31.8, range 24-39 years). By analyzing the MRI data, we classified the discs as Grade II according to Pfirrmann's grading system.

Human NP Cell Isolation and Cultures

Human NP tissues were obtained within 2 hours after surgery. NP tissues were identified and separated by a stereotaxic microscope. The NP tissues were then washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and digested for 40 minutes in 0.2% pronase (Gibco BRL, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Following being washed, the tissues were incubated in 0.25% type II collagenase (Gibco BRL, Carlsbad, CA, USA) at 37°C under gentle agitation for 4 hours. Then, the tissue debris was detached by a 45-µm pore-size nylon mesh. Following centrifuged at 200 g for 8 min, cells were seeded in culture flasks with DMEM/F12-based medium (containing 10% FBS, 1% P/S). The culture flasks were then placed in incubator with 20% oxygen and 5% CO2 at 37°C.

Human ADSCs isolation and verification

Fat samples were washed and minced in a sterile petridish with PBS to prevent dehydration. Following digested in 1mg/ml type II collagenase (Sigma, Saint Louis, USA) at 37°C under gentle agitation, the cells were passed through a 70µm pore-size sterile nylon mesh filter (Falcon, Franklin Lakes, USA). Then, the cells were harvested after centrifugation at 200 g for 8 minutes. To remove remaining tissue debris, the pellet was resuspended and filtered through a 40 µm cell strainer. Cells were counted and seeded in culture flasks. The culture medium was changed twice a week. Cells were trypsinized, centrifuged at 500 g for 5 minutes and re-seeded when confluent.

We performed flow cytometry analysis w to verify the cultured ADSCs. In brief, the cultured cells were washed and incubated in blocking buffer for 30 minutes at 4 °C. After being washed, the cells were then incubated for 30 minutes at 4 °C in dark with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated antibodies or thephycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated antibodies as follows: c-kit/FITC, CD9/FITC, CD31/FITC, CD34/FITC, CD90/FITC, CD271/FITC, MAP-2/FITC,VEGF/FITC, KDR/PE, CD29/PE, CD45/PE (BD Biosciences, NJ, USA). To fix the cells, 1% paraformaldehyde was used. Isotype-identical antibodies (IgG) were used as controls. Cell viability of each group was greater than 96.0%. Sample assessment was performed in three times.

Indirect co-cultures of NP cells and ADSCs

The indirect co-culture system was established with 0.4μm pore-size Transwell inserts placed in culture dishes. Passage=1 NP cells and Passage=3 ADSCs were used. ADSCs were plated into Transwell inserts (5×106 per well) and NP cells were seeded in culture dishes (5×106 per well) with 10% DMEM-F12 culture medium. The ratio of the co-culture was 50/50. Eight NP cell samples and eight AD-MSCs samples were used via random pairing for the co-cultures.

Compressive load culture

The co-culture system was subjected to a compressive load environment, which was consisted of compression culture chamber and gas cylinder (Taikang Bio-Technology, Xi'an, China). To provide compressive stress, the culture chamber was linked with a high pressure gas cylinder. The samples were then subjected to controllable compressive stress at 3.0 MPa for 48 hours. 21-23 The culture chamber works with compressed gas from the cylinder to the culture dishes, leading to compression of fluid media to the NP cells under controlled pressure. For the control group, NP cells were cultured without ADSCs at the same condition.

Experimental assays

Flow cytometry of cell apoptosis

To address apoptosis of NP cells, Flow cytometry was performed with Annexin V-FITC/PI (BD Biosciences, San Diego, CA, USA) staining upon the treated cells. Briefly, ,1×106 cells were re-suspended in binding buffer after washed with PBS. Then the cells were incubated in Annexin V-FITC and PI at room temperature for 15 minutes. The samples were analyzed. Each experiment was performed in triplicate.

Activated caspase -8, -9 and -3 assays

We examined the expression of activated caspases-8, -9 and -3 by Caspase-Glo assay (Promega). In brief, caspase enzyme specific to luminogenic-substrate is cleaved by active caspases in the cell lysate releasing a substrate for luciferase. According to the experimental design, 100 ul caspase was added to NP cell medium. Prior to utilization, 60uM proteosome inhibitor MH-132 was added to the caspase reagent. After incubated at room temperature for 75 minutes, luminescence was detected with Perkin Elmer Victor3 Multilabel coulter. Background controls were used by luminescence from dishes that containing caspase reagent and media without cells. Each experiment was performed in triplicate.

Live/Dead assay

For assessing NP cells survival and proliferation, the Live/Dead assay was performed. The analysis employed two color fluorescent dyes (Live/Dead Cell Staining Kit, BioVision USA): LiveDye that produces green fluorescen for live cells and dead cells and propidium iodide (PI) that produces an intense red fluorescent for dead cells. In brief, the NP cells were incubated with 1ml of fresh serum-free DMEM/F12 containing 5 mM of LiveDye and 5 mM of PI for 3 h at room temperature. The NP cells were then washed by PBS to remove unbounded reaction products. After that, the samples were viewed by a microscope (FV-1000, Olympus, Japan) equipped for fluorescent detection. For image capturing, an Optronics digital CCD camera was used. Analysis was performed by A FV10-ASW 3.1 Viewer (Olympus, Japan).

Scanning electron microscopy

The adhesion of NP cells in each group was measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Briefly, 4% paraformaldehyde was used to fixe NP cells at room temperature for 30 min. The samples were washed three times with distilled water and dehydrated with serial ethanol solutions. Following dried under vacuum at room temperature, samples were sputter-coated with gold, and then subjected to scanning electron microscopy (Hitachi S-3400N, Japan) at an accelerating voltage of 5 kV.

Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) Analysis

We homogenized the NP cells in Trizol Reagent (SigmaAldrich, US) and used High-Capacity cDNA Archive Kit (ABI, Foster City, CA) to perform reverse transcription, then followed the instruction to perform RT-PCR. The sequences of primers are shown in Supplementary Material: Table S1. We mixed 25µl of sample cDNA, 2.5µl of 10XPCR buffer, 2.0µl of MgSO4 (25 mM), 2.5µl dNTPmix (2 mM), 0.5µl Taq DNA Polymerase (2 U/µl), and 15.8ml deionized H2O in the PCR reaction process.then the mixture was heated to 95°C for 2.5 min and then amplified for 40 cycles as follows: 95°C for 30 s (denaturation), 55°C for 30 s (annealing), and 65 °C for 10 s (extension).

Immunofluorescent staining

Adhered NP cells were fixed using 2.5% paraformaldehyde for 15 min at room temperature then treated with 0.2% Triton X-100 for 1 minute. After that, cells were blocked in 1% bovine serum albumin PBS and e incubated in rabbit polyclonal anti-collagen II antibody, rabbit monoclonal antibody to (cytokeratin 8) CK8 (Abcam, Cambridge, USA) in 12h in 4°C. afterwards,The samples were washed and incubated with Alexa 488-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibodies (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA) for 30 minutes in the dark at room temperature.Dapi(4'-6-diamid-ino-2-phenylindole) was used as DNA counterstain. Slides were visualized using a Leica microscope (Leica, Wetzlar, Germany).

Statistical analysis

The SPSS statistical package (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) for statistical analysis was used. We used Student's t-test in the analysis of two-group parameters. ANOVA test was used in comparisons of multiple group data. A p value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

ADSCs identification

The isolated ADSCs demonstrated high-level staining of positive ADSCs markers, including CD90, CD29, and CD9. The expression of CD90, CD29 was more than 95% of the total cell population, and CD9 displayed nearly 85%. In contrast, only a small proportion of cells were detected with negative ADSCs markers (see Supplementary Material: Table S2).

Compressive load mediated apoptosis in human NP cells can be rescued by ADSCs

Mechanical stimuli associated with weight-bearing and loading of IVD are thought to be important regulators of NP cell metabolism. In the current study, we induced apoptosis of monolayer cultured human NP cells by un-physiological compressive load condition and measured cell death by flow cytometry. The time point was chosen after optimization. Nucleus pulposus cells labelled by AV and PI were quantified using flow cytometry allowing discrimination among viable cells (Q3: AV-PI-), early apoptotic cells (Q4: AV+PI-) and necrotic cells (Q2: AV-PI+). Nucleus pulposus cells were harvested and the percentage of early apoptotic and necrotic cells was determined using flow cytometry. As shown in Figure treatment with ADSCs resulted in a significant reduction in apoptotic (AV+PI-) cells following compressive load culture (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed in the percentage of necrotic cells (AV-PI+) when ADSCs were used in compressive load culture. To further clarify the mechanisms underlying ADSCs-mediated anti-apoptotic effects, we measured activated caspase activity of the NP cells. As shown in Figure there were no differences in the expression of activated caspase-8 in any of the treatment groups (p>0.05). However, ADSCs significantly suppressed the expression of activated caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity (p<0.05) (Figure

Meanwhile, the effect of ADSCs on survival of the NP cells was further examined by a Live/Dead staining method. The representative images of Live/Dead staining from each group are shown in Figure The percentage of live NP cells was significantly up-regulated by ADSCs after compressive load culture compared to that without ADSCs (p<0.01) in Figure . In addition, the morphological appearances of NP cells in each group were evaluated by SEM. As shown in Figure NP cells in each group attached, spreaded, and started to divide. When cultured followed compressive load culture, NP cells without ADSCs were shrinking with broken membranes and particulates at 48 hours (Figure In contrast, most of NP cells in compressive load group with ADSCs extended bipolar or multipolar processes at 48 hours after exposure to compressive load, which were similar to that in control group (Figure The SEM results were consistent with the apoptosis assay results.

ADSCs in compressive load culture prevented ECM decrease in NP cells

The gene expression of SOX9, COL2A1, ACAN, and COL6A2 was significantly decreased by the un-physiological compressive load culture (p<0.01). The utilization of ADSCs in cultures with compressive load had a significant effect upon ECM proteins in gene and protein levels,. As shown in Figure the expression of Sox9, a transcription factor known to facilitate COL2A1 expression, was increased by ADSCs following compressive load culture (p<0.01). Also, ADSCs could up-regulate COL2A1 and ACAN gene expression and demonstrated a markedly increased difference (Figure (p<0.01). However, the expression of COL6A2 was increased by ADSCs, but did not reach statistical significance (Figure (p>0.05). Additionally, the expression of collagen 2 was confirmed by immunostaining, as shown in Figure Quantification analysis showed the percentage of collagen 2 positive staining cells was decreased by compressive load at 3.0MPa for 48 hours and the use of ADSCs significantly up-regulated collagen 2 expression (p<0.05) (Figure .

Impact of ADSCs on MMPs, TIMPs and ADAMTSs in NP cell and modulators synthesis

We examined the expression of these cytokines in the current study. As shown in Figure NP cells exhibited a significantly increased expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in compressive load culture (p<0.01). The use of ADSCs strongly reduced the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13(p<0.05). Moreover, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 showed an up-regulation in NP cells after co-cultured with ADSCs following compressive load culture (p<0.05). Additionally, the NP cells demonstrated an up-regulated expression of ADAMTS-1, 4, and 5 following compressive load culture (p<0.01). ADSCs were shown to inhibit ADAMTS-1 and 5 expression following compressive load compared with culture without ADSCs (p<0.05).

ADSCs led to pro-inflammatory factors in decrease in compressive load cultured NP cells

A variety of inflammatory mediators have been implicated in IVD degeneration. In the current study, we detected interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). As shown in Figure we found that the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β1 and TNF-α was significantly increased by compressive load culture in NP cells (p<0.01), and that ADSCs significantly suppressed the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1, TNF-α (p<0.01) and IL-6 (p<0.05) in compressive culture.

NP cell phenotype detection following compressive load culture

It is suggested that NP cells demonstrated phenotype degradation with some markers down-regulated. Here, we measured the gene expression of FOX1 (forkhead box F1), PAX1 (paired box 1), CA12 (carbonic anhydrase XII) and CK8, which was proved to be specifically expressed in NP cells compared with AF cells and chondrocytes. We found that the gene expression of FOXF1, PAX1, CA12 and CK8 was decreased by compressive load. Although their expression was up-regulated by ADSCs, there was no significant difference between the two groups with or without ADSCs (Figure (p>0.05). Interestingly, we found that CK8 was down-regulated by compressive load culture in protein level. The use of ADSCs led to an increase in the expression of CK8 (Figure

Discussion

Adipose-derived stromal cells have been reported to be a promising candidate in disc regeneration treatment options. Accumulating evidence has shown that stem cell injection into the NP tissue is an effective IDD biological therapy. 11, 24-27 Practically, patients with degenerative disc disease might be treated with the ADSCs injection treatment before all NP cells are exhausted. Therefore, while the differentiation of ADSCs is an important issue, the impact of ADSCs on the remaining degenerated NP cells needs to be clarified in order to get a comprehensive understanding of stem cells treatment for IDD. Our previous study demonstrated that direct co-culture of human ADSCs and NP cells resulted in increased matrix formation in degenerated NP cells. 20 Additionally, we have also shown that ADAMTSs and CK8 expression was affected by compressive load cultures in human NP cells. 28, 29 However, the question remains open on the impact of ADSCs' upon NP cells in abnormal compressive load, which might be a similar scenario with the actual IVD biomechanical environment. In this study, we found that ADSCs protect NP cells from apoptosis and degradation under a compressive load culture environment, which might shed light on implications in stem cell therapy for intervertebral disc regeneration.

To our knowledge, this is the first in vitro study investigating the impact of ADSCs on NP cells in an un-physiological mechanical stimulation culture environment. Progressive IDD is associated with cell death of NP cells, which play an important role in functional ECM synthesis, cytokines production and the maintenance of relevant enzymes' activities. The decrease of NP cell population from cell death is found in most IDD pathology. 30 Caspase-9 and -3 are involved in downstream of the intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway while caspase-8 is a key agent in the upstream of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, which is linked with the Fas/FasL receptor. Accumulating evidence has shown that abnormal compressive load can lead to apoptosis in NP cells and that intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway plays an important role in its mechanism. 10, 31 Our results were consistent with these findings and importantly, we showed that the protective effect of ADSCs on NP cells might be mediated by the suppression of intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway and ADSCs might have less impact on Fas/FasL crosslink. Soluble factors secreted by ADSCs may contribute to this phenomenon. In particular, Caplan et al noted that stem cells secrete cytokines and growth factors that have both paracrine and autocrine activities. 19 Yamamoto et al found that cell-cell contact between MSCs and NP cells induced the secretion of growth factors. 16 Although the effect of these factors was not studied in load-induced apoptosis, we consider that some group of them might play an important role in the protective impact of ADSCs. Further studies are needed to clarify this mechanism.

In IDD, the ECM of the disc undergoes structural, mechanical and molecular changes, which result in a loss of demarcation between the outer AF and the inner NP tissues. SOX9 is a transcription factor that is known to facilitate COL2A1 secretion and regarded as one of the most commonly used markers in the studies of stem cell differentiation to chondrocyte-like cells, especially NP cells. Collagen 2 is highly expressed in NP and its decrease is a classic pathological signature in IDD. In addition, collagen 6 and aggrecan express abundantly in NP. Studies noted that most ECM expression was decreased by abnormal compressive load environment both in vivo and in vitro. 32 In the present study, we showed that the expression of SOX9, COL2A1, ACAN, and COL6A2 was decreased by compressive load culture and the use of ADSCs strongly increased the expression of SOX9, COL2A1and ACAN, which indicated a protective effect on NP cell function. During the progress of IDD, alterations in collagen type and a decrease in proteoglycan content result in the loss of tissue integrity, decreased hydration, and thus lead to inability to withstand load. Our findings suggest that in ADSCs regeneration for IDD, the ADSCs could exert a regenerative effect not only by direct differentiation toward NP cells, but also benefit the existing NP cells to improve function in a detrimental environment.

In the cartilage, two classes of enzymes have been suggested to be involved in the breakdown of aggrecan. The first class is the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). 33 The second class is made of a group of proteases, ADAMTSs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs). 34 In humans, there are currently 4 known tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), amongst which TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 are able to inhibit all MMPs. 35, 36 MMPs are a family of zinc-containing and zinc-dependent enzymes that have the ability to break down connective tissue by hydrolyzing components of the ECM. 37, 38 Studies have shown abnormal levels of MMPs in human degenerated discs. In particular, MMP-3 was highly suggested to be involved in IDD. 39, 40 MMP-13 is predominantly expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes during endochondral ossification. 41 ADAMTSs are newly defined multidomain enzymes which are noted to be involved in IDD. 42, 43 We have previously shown that the gene expression of ADAMTS-1, 4, and 5 increased significantly in loaded NP cells. 28 In this study, we showed that these modulators were up-regulated by compressive load culture and ADSCs were able to decrease their expression. To further investigate the molecular mechanism, the activity of TIMPs, which are endogenous inhibitors of MMPs, was measured. TIMP-1 forms a complex with the catalytic domain of MMP-3 and TIMP-2 are able to inhibit all MMPs. Our results showed that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression was increased by ADSCs; thereby, suggesting that they may play an important role in the decrease of MMPs.

Studies have shown that pro-inflammatory agents were up-regulated in degenerated NP tissue. 44-47 Importantly, it has been shown that mechanical stimulation, such as compressive load, could lead to the increase of pro-inflammatory agents, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β1 and TNF-α. 48 Accordingly, the impact of ADSCs on the secretion of these agents is an important issue when used in disc regeneration, especially under abnormal compress load environment. In our study, the distinct capacity of ADSCs on pro-inflammatory factors suppression suggested that ADSCs treatment might inhibit pro-inflammatory degrading mediators in disc regeneration.

Although it remains largely unknown in the exact phenotypes of human NP cells, some studies have attempted to identify NP cell markers. 49, 50 In this field, Minogue et al 51 showed FOXF1, PAX1 and CA12 positively expressed in NP cells by microarray analysis. Our previous studies also indicated that CK8 expression decreased with progression of IDD pathology and were closely linked with compressive load culture. 29, 52 In the current study, though ADSCs showed no significant influence on FOXF1, PAX1, CA12 and CK8 gene expression, the decrease protein expression of CK8 was prevented by ADSCs in compressive load culture.

Conclusions

Our study is the first in vitro study assessing the impact of ADSCs on NP cells in an un-physiological mechanical stimulation culture environment. Our study demonstrated that ADSCs are protective against NP apoptosis via suppression of activated caspase-9 and -3. Moreover, ADSCs showed a beneficial effect on NP cells by increasing functional ECM and TIMPs expression while inhibiting MMPs, ADAMTSs and pro-inflammatory agents expression. Although ADSCs showed no effect on most NP markers expression, they inhibited the decrease of CK8.

The results of the present study provide much needed evidence that ADSCs provide crucial protective effects that mediate apoptosis and degradation of NP cells induced by compressive load. Further studies are needed to classify the molecular mechanisms in molecular signals. Consequently, the reciprocal impact of the two types of cells found in this study might make an essential understanding to expand our knowledge in ADSCs-based therapies for intervertebral disc regeneration.

Tables S1 - S2.

Click here for additional data file.