Research Article
Effects of Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α Secreted in Degenerative Intervertebral Disc on Activation and Recruitment of Nucleus Pulposus-Derived Stem Cells
Figure 1
(a) Representative images of the process of establishing an ex vivo organ culture model using the bovine caudal IVD. For cell migration assay ex vivo, IVD was punctured in the coronal plane and aspirated out some NP tissue (0.08-0.15 cm3) close to the lower CEP with a 22-gauge needle to create a cavity and then positioned into the culture plate with the upper CEP side up. (b) Schematic representation of the experimental design of cell migration assay ex vivo. PKH26-labelled NPSCs were cultured on the top of the upper CEP and allowed to migrate for 48 h. (c) Schematic view of the regional division of the IVD for cell migration assessment. The sagittal plane of IVD was sectioned into 1 mm height subsections from top to bottom in order to evaluate the depth of cell migration. IVD: intervertebral disc; NP: nucleus pulposus; CEP cartilaginous endplate; AF: annular fibrosus; NPSCs: nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells.
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