University of Manchester scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of medical science by successfully creating functioning human spinal disks using a cutting-edge 3D printing technique known as bioprinting. This innovative approach aims to revolutionize our understanding of back pain and disk degeneration, offering new hope for millions of people worldwide who suffer from this common condition.
Led by Dr. Matthew J. Kibble, the research team utilized bioprinting to replicate the complex structure and environment of human spinal disks. In a recent study published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia, they found that tissue stiffness and oxygen levels play a crucial role in the production of important biological materials like collagen and hyaluronic acid by human disk cells.
The ability to create bioprinted spinal disks will enable scientists to study how different conditions impact disk cell behavior, leading to tissue degeneration and ultimately back pain. Bioprinting involves using living cells and biological materials to construct 3D structures that closely resemble human organs, allowing researchers to simulate various biological processes in a controlled environment.
The researchers prepared cells and materials necessary for bioprinting and designed a digital model of a human spinal disk. The bioprinted disks were made from gels containing collagen and alginate, a protein derived from seaweed. State-of-the-art 3D bioprinters were used to deposit different types of cells and materials layer-by-layer, creating sophisticated models that accurately mimic the biological, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of human spinal disks.
Dr. Stephen M. Richardson, corresponding author of the study, highlighted the significance of this work in advancing our understanding of disk degeneration and developing effective regenerative therapies. The research findings shed light on the factors driving disk degeneration and pave the way for the development of new treatment options, such as incorporating stem cells into the bioprinted disks.
While fully functional tissue-engineered organs are still a distant goal, bioprinting has shown promise in creating realistic models of various tissues for laboratory research. The team plans to further enhance their bioprinted disk models by incorporating different cell types and exploring the use of stem cells or gene-edited cells to produce healthy tissue and potentially treat back pain.
Dr. Kibble expressed optimism about the potential impact of their research on improving regenerative therapies for back pain, emphasizing the importance of tissue stiffness and oxygen levels in the production of essential biological materials. The ability to produce biologically functional disk models at scale represents a significant advancement in understanding disk disease and exploring new treatment approaches.
The study, titled “Suspension bioprinted whole intervertebral disc analogues enable regional stiffness- and hypoxia-regulated matrix secretion by primary human nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells,” was published in Acta Biomaterialia. This research opens up new avenues for investigating the biology of spinal disks and developing innovative therapies to address back pain.
As the team continues to refine their bioprinted disk models, they hope to make further strides in understanding the mechanisms underlying disk degeneration and exploring novel treatment strategies. This groundbreaking research offers a glimmer of hope for millions of individuals who suffer from back pain, paving the way for a brighter future in the field of regenerative medicine.
