Cells From Different Regions of the Intervertebral Disc

Abstract

The disc has at least three distinct cell populations, which differ in morphology and in amount and type of matrix they produce. Cells from mature nucleus pulposus produced sulfated glycosaminoglycans at a high rate in contrast to reported results for notochordal nucleus cells. Alginate, although an appropriate culture system for inner anulus and nucleus cells, may not be a suitable medium for outer anulus cells.