Comparison of Annulus Fibrosus Cell Collagen Remodeling Rates in a Micro-Tissue System

Isabel N. Tromp, Jasper Foolen, Marina van Doeselaar, Ying Zhang, Danny Chan, Moyo C. Kruyt, Laura B. Creemers, Rene M. Castelein, Keita Ito (Corresponding author)

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Abstract

It has been suggested that curvature progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis occurs through irreversible changes in the intervertebral discs. Strains of mice have been identified who differ in their disc wedging response upon extended asymmetrical compression. Annulus fibrosus tissue remodeling could contribute to the faster disc wedging progression previously observed in these mice. Differences in collagen remodeling capacity of annulus fibrosus cells between these in-bred mice strains was compared using an in vitro micro-tissue system. Annulus fibrosus cells of 8-10 week-old LG/J ("fast-healing") and C57BL/6J ("normal healing") mice were embedded in a micro-tissue platform and cultured for 48 hours. Hereafter, tissues were partially released and cultured for another 96 hours. Micro-tissue surface area and waistcoat contraction, collagen orientation and collagen content were measured. After 96 hours post-release, micro-tissues with annulus fibrosus cells of LG/J mice showed more surface area contraction (p < 0.001) and waistcoat contraction (p = 0.002) than C57BL/6J micro-tissues. Collagen orientation did not differ at 24 hours after partial release. However, at 96 hours, collagen in the micro-tissues from LG/J annulus fibrosus cells was aligned more than in those from C57BL/6J mice (p < 0.001). Collagen content did not differ between micro-tissues at 96 hours. Annulus fibrosus cells of inbred LG/J mice were better able to remodel and realign their collagen fibers than those from C57BL/6J mice. The remodeling of annulus fibrosus tissue could be contributing to the faster disc wedging progression observed in LG/J mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1955-1964
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research
Volume39
Issue number9
Early online date22 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021

Bibliographical note

© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society.

Funding

The work described in this paper and its coauthors were partially supported by the Fondation Yves Cotrel—Institut de France, a Eurospine Task Force Research pilot grant (10‐2017), Hong Kong Research Grants Council (17126319), a Stryker Spine Research Grant and the Dutch Arthritis Foundation (LLP12).

Keywords

  • annulus fibrosus
  • collagen
  • intervertebral disc
  • matrix remodeling
  • scoliosis

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