Innovative Bioprinted Spinal Disks Provide Insights into Back Pain Treatment

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed functional human spinal disks using advanced bioprinting technology. This groundbreaking work aims to enhance our understanding of back pain and disk degeneration, which affects millions worldwide.

The study, published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia, reveals that factors such as tissue stiffness and oxygen levels play a critical role in the production of essential biological materials, including collagen and hyaluronic acid, by human disk cells. These findings have the potential to lead to novel treatment options for back pain.

Bioprinting, a state-of-the-art method that employs living cells and biological materials, enables the creation of complex 3D structures that closely mimic human organ anatomy. The bioprinted spinal disks will allow researchers to investigate how various environmental conditions affect disk cell behavior and contribute to tissue degeneration associated with back pain.

Unlike traditional 3D printers that utilize plastic, bioprinters operate by extruding cell-based materials through a nozzle, creating structures from gel-like substances derived from natural compounds such as collagen and alginate, a protein sourced from seaweed.

In their research, the team prepared necessary cells and materials for bioprinting and produced a digital model of a human spinal disk. The disks created in this study were composed of gels made from a combination of collagen and alginate.

The advanced 3D bioprinters used in the study can deposit various cell types and materials layer by layer, constructing sophisticated models that replicate the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of human spinal disks. Once bioprinted, these tissues are nurtured in controlled environments to grow, mature, and perform their biological functions.

This research signifies a step toward the automated production of realistic organ models, facilitating a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of disk degeneration. Insights gained from this work could pave the way for more effective regenerative therapies, potentially integrating stem cells to enhance treatment options.

While bioprinting has previously been employed to create models of various tissues, such as skin and heart, fully functional engineered organs remain a distant goal. Current models primarily serve research purposes and may eventually replace animal testing in laboratories.

As part of his doctoral research, the lead scientist focused on the impact of tissue stiffness on two types of cells within adult spinal disks: nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells. Future iterations of the disk models aim to incorporate cells from healthy, young disks as well as stem or gene-edited cells, enhancing the models for studying health and disease.

With over 600 million individuals globally suffering from lower back pain, this research offers significant potential for developing improved regenerative therapies. The findings underscore the importance of tissue stiffness and oxygen levels in the synthesis of crucial biological materials.

Numerous attempts have been made to engineer spinal disks for biological understanding and therapeutic testing, but these endeavors are often time-consuming and complex. This innovative approach allows for the efficient production of biologically active disk models, advancing the quest for better understanding and treatment of disk diseases.