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
CONTENTS
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 75 3.2 Background ........................................................................................................................... 76 3.3 Changes with Intervertebral Disc Aging and Degeneration......................................... 78 3.4 Intervertebral Disc Cells and Cellular Microenvironment ........................................... 78
3.4.1 Intervertebral Disc Cells ......................................................................................... 79 3.4.1.1 Nucleus Pulposus Cells ............................................................................ 79 3.4.1.2 Anulus Fibrosus Cells .............................................................................. 79
3.4.2 Intervertebral Disc Cell-Matrix Microenvironment .......................................... 81 3.4.2.1 Pericellular Matrix Constituents ............................................................. 81 3.4.2.2 Pericellular Matrix Morphology ............................................................. 82
3.4.3 Intervertebral Disc Cell-Matrix Interactions .......................................................83 3.4.3.1 Cell Surface Receptors and Adhesion ....................................................83
