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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To evaluate the biological and biomechanical effects of fenestration/microdiscectomy in an in vivo rabbit model, and in doing so, create a preclinical animal model of IVDD. ⋯ Fenestration, akin to microdiscectomy, demonstrated significant biological, and biomechanical effects in this in vivo rabbit model and warrants consideration by veterinary and human spine surgeons. This described model may be suitable for preclinical in vivo evaluation of therapeutic strategies for IVDD in veterinary and human patients.
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To investigate the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), with a specific emphasis on Tie2-enhanced NPCs, compared to EVs derived from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in a coccygeal intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) rat model. ⋯ Our results underscore the regenerative potential of young NPC-derived EVs, particularly NPCTie2+-EVs, surpassing MSC-derived counterparts. These findings raise questions about the validity of MSCs as both EV sources and cellular therapeutics against IDD. The study emphasizes the critical influence of cell type, source, and culture conditions in EV-based therapeutics.