Collagen Synthesis and Types I, III, IV, and VI Collagens in an Animal Model of Disc Degeneration

Abstract

The results of this study suggest that the altered composition of collagens observed in the degenerate porcine nucleus pulposus results from changes in cell phenotype: Notochondral cells were replaced by fibroblast-like cells. It is likely that trauma to the anulus fibrosus can initiate a progressive degenerative process in the disc tissue.