European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Thermoreversible hydrogels have potential in spine research as they provide easy injectability and mild gelling mechanism (by physical cross-link). The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of thermoreversible hyaluronan-based hydrogels (HA-pNIPAM) (pNIPAM Mn = 10, 20, 35 × 10(3) g mol(-1)) as nucleus pulposus cells (NPC) carrier. ⋯ A HA-pNIPAM composition suitable for nucleus pulposus repair that provides an injectable carrier for NPC, maintains their phenotype and promotes extracellular matrix generation was identified.