Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Hydrogel Matrix Human Stem Cell Based Nucleus Pulposus Intervertebral Disc Regeneration, Mick J. Perez-Cruet, Siddharth Ramanathan, Rasul Chaudhry, Leon Chieng, Christina Mckee, Aaron Rapp

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the leading causes of chronic debilitating low back pain. DDD is characterized by changes in cellular characteristics resulting in loss of extracellular matrix(ECM) water holding capacity of the nucleus pulposus(NP). DDD can lead to translation of physiological loads from the anterior 2/3 of the spinal column to the posterior 1/3, resulting in increased stress on the facets and ligamentum flavum causing facet hypertrophy and canal stenosis. Novel stem cell regenerative therapies could restore the anterior column load via NP regeneration.

Methods

A hydrogel scaffold was created composed of self-assembling polyethylene glycol(PEG) functionalized …

Augmented Immunomodulation Of Endogenous Marrow-Derived Stem Cells In The Setting Of Acl Rupture, Mackenzie Fleischer, Michael Newton, Samantha Hartner, John A. Driscoll, Anthony Arveschoug, Chritopher C. Vasileff, Kevin Baker

Conference Presentation Abstracts

PURPOSE: Augmentation of MSC immunomodulation is an unexplored, potentially useful therapeutic to combat PTOA following ACLR. Lower kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratios observed in synovial fluid of ACL rupture (ACLR) rats suggests decreased activity of tryptophan metabolizing enzyme, Ido, known to be secreted by MSCs to promote T-reg expansion and Th17 suppression. This study aims to characterize the immunomodulatory capacity of pharmacologically mobilized MSCs in conjunction with exogenously delivered Ido. METHODS: Rats (N = 48) underwent ACLR to evaluate the effects of mobilized MCSs on Ido1 and inflammatory cytokine expression profiles in the synovial fluid. Additionally, rats (N = 160) underwent ACLR to …