# Tissue-Engineered Constructs for Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

> **NIH VA IK2** · PHILADELPHIA VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · —

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION    
The objective of this project is to develop a tissue-engineered construct including an engineered nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus to treat defects of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc (IVD). Three Specific Aims are pursued: " Specific Aim 1 will consist of establishing in vitro tissue engineered NP fabrication from rabbit and  human NP and MSC cells in hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel constructs, and evaluation of cell  viability, gene regulation, ECM production, and biomechanical properties as a function of gel  biophysical properties, cell seeding density, and extended culture in a disc-like environment. " Specific Aim 2 will entail establishing and evaluating cellular infiltration and functional maturation  engineered AF-like structures starting from rabbit and human AF and MSC seeded nanofibrous  scaffolds in vitro. " Specific Aim 3 will combine the tissue-engineered NP and AF developed in Aims 1 and 2 to form a  composite disc-like construct, and to then apply this construct to an in vivo rabbit disc model of total  discectomy. Efficacy will be assesse via MRI T2 mapping and subsequent ex vivo analysis of motion  segment mechanical, biochemical, and histologic properties. Research Design: This study will utilize in vitro tissue culture for Specific Aims 1-2; Specific Aim 3 will utilize a rabbit animal model and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methodology: Specific Aims 1 and 2 are laboratory-based studies that will utilize in vitro tissue culture. Specific Aim 3 will be performed in vivo with a rabbit mdel for discectomy and tissue-engineered disc implantation with subsequent ex vivo MRI of the spine and tissue analysis. The primary study outcome measures for Specific Aims 1-3 are biochemical analysis of tissue culture and biomechanical analysis of tissue-engineered constructs. Additionally, Specific Aim 3 will utilize these same outcomes, as well as implement quantitative MRI T2 maps of the implanted tissue-engineered constructs with comparisons made to control (non-treated discectomy) and adjacent normal discs. Findings: n/a at this time. Clinical Relationships: The goal of this project is to develop tissue-engineered constructs to trea degenerative disc disease as well as to validate radiologic methods to noninvasively assess potential therapeutic treatments of degenerative disc disease. Impact/Significance: It is anticipated that the proposed study will offer an increased understanding of degenerative disc disease and potential novel therapeutic treatment to both reverse degenerative changes as well as decrease risk of recurrent disc herniation. Further, it will provide critical support for the applicant as he develops a research-intensive clinical practice in spine surgery at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and the University of Pennsylvania.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10174730
- **Project number:** 5IK2RX001476-07
- **Recipient organization:** PHILADELPHIA VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Harvey E. Smith
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-10-01 → 2021-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10174730

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10174730, Tissue-Engineered Constructs for Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (5IK2RX001476-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10174730. Licensed CC0.

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