Artificial organs
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Disc degeneration and the subsequent herniation and/or rupture of the intervertebral disc (IVD) are due to a failure of the extracellular matrix of the annulus to contain the contents of the nucleus. This results from inadequate maintenance of the matrix components as well as the proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade matrix molecules. Arresting progression of disc degeneration in the annulus holds greater clinical potential at this point than prevention of its onset in the nucleus. ⋯ For this study, we attempted to address these imbalances of metabolism by using tumor necrosis factor-α treated annulus fibrosus cells isolated from porcine IVD tissue and incubating the cells in a growth factor rich environment with PRP. These results indicate that the PRP in vitro increased the production of the major matrix components (type II collagen and aggrecan) and decreased the inhibitory collagenase MMP-1. This application will address a therapeutic approach for intervening early in the degenerative process.