Development of an annulus fibrosus tissue model with ascorbic acid induced mesenchymal stem cells

• Main Author: Cheong, Shirlynn Mei Ling
• Other Authors: Kang Yuejun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/65231
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The Annulus Fibrosus (AF) in the Intervetebral Disc (IVD) contains Type I and II Collagen, Aggrecans and Proteoglycans. When experiencing disc degeneration, the IVD composition tends to alter, leading to a thinner disc as well as losing its natural function of protecting our spine and absorbing shock. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are widely used in the repairing of the IVD. Ascorbic Acid (AA) is also known to increase the secretion of collagen. It remains unknown as to which population of cells performs better in terms of fabrication of the AF model. Sodium Alginate is famous for its ability to cross-link with Calcium Chloride to form a hydrogel, making cell encapsulation possible. Thus, an AF model was fabricated through a method called the Interfacial Polyelectrolyte Complexation (IPC) and subjected to analysis to investigate the cell characterization and tissue development. Ultimately its ability to transform into the AF tissue forming a model would be desirable. AA induced hMSCs has proven its ability to increase collagen secretion, while the fabricated AF model was able to express genes of interest such as Col 1, Col 2, Aggrecans and Sox 9. Cells were also seen to be able to proliferate and survive within lamellar structured encapsulation. Hence, the fabrication of the AF model for therapeutics and pathological studies could be made possible.