Intervertebral disc cell mechanics and mechanobiology

Christopher L. Gilchrist, Li Cao, Lori A. Setton

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a complex brocartilaginous tissue whose primary function is to resist mechanical loads in the spine. Cells embedded within the IVD extracellular matrix (ECM) are subjected to a variety of physical stimuli under physiologic loading that are known to provide important signals to cells, with the cells’ biological responses to their mechanical environment playing potentially critical roles in regulating the development, maintenance, and repair of IVD tissues. Additionally, mechanical factors may play key roles in the initiation and progression of IVD degeneration, with altered or injurious mechanical loading environments possibly contributing to substantial biological remodeling or breakdown of IVD tissues. Understanding the mechanobiology of IVD cells requires answering several key questions. What is the mechanical environment of IVD cells? What physical stimuli do cells experience under physiologic loading conditions? How do IVD cells sense, interpret, and respond to these mechanical cues in their environment? What changes in mechanical environment and cell responses occur during IVD aging and degeneration, and how do these changes contribute to pathology? Significant progress has been made over the past two decades toward answering these questions, although much remains to be elucidated. This chapter reviews our current knowledge of IVD cell biomechanics, including IVD ECM and cellular mechanics, cell morphology, cell-matrix interactions, and micromechanical stimuli experienced by cells, toward the goal of assessing micromechanical stimuli that are important for regulating the biological responses of IVD cells.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOrthopaedic Biomechanics
PublisherCRC Press
Pages75-100
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)9781439860946
ISBN (Print)9781439860939
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012

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