Intervertebral disc cells as competent phagocytes in vitro: implications for cell death in disc degeneration

2008

Intervertebral Disc Cells as Phagocytes

Sample size: 15 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Philip Jones, Lucy Gardner, Janis Menage, Gwyn T. Williams, Sally Roberts

Primary Institution: Centre for Spinal Studies, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic & District Hospital NHS Trust

Can intervertebral disc cells be induced to behave as phagocytes and clear apoptotic cells?

Intervertebral disc cells can act as competent phagocytes, ingesting both latex beads and apoptotic cells more effectively than committed phagocytes.

Disc cells ingested latex beads more efficiently than committed phagocytes.
Disc cells were able to ingest apoptotic cells when cocultured with UV-treated HeLa cells.
The study suggests that disc cells can help clear apoptotic cells in the intervertebral disc.

The cells in the discs of our spine can eat up dead cells, which helps keep the discs healthy.

Bovine nucleus pulposus cells were cultured and exposed to latex beads and apoptotic cells, with their phagocytic activity monitored via microscopy.

The study was conducted in vitro, which may not fully represent in vivo conditions.

Young adult cattle aged 18 to 32 months.

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website