Poly(gamma-glutamic acid) and poly(gamma-glutamic acid)-based nanocomplexes enhance type II collagen production in intervertebral disc

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Antunes, JC (Author) Other; Pereira, CL (Author) Other; Teixeira, GQ (Author) Other; Silva, RV (Author) Other; Caldeira, J (Author) Other; Grad, S (Author) Other; Goncalves, RM (Author) ICBAS; Barbosa, MA (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine

Vol. 28

ISSN: 0957-4530

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 21 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-81Z

DOI: 10.1007/s10856-016-5787-1

Abstract (EN): Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration often leads to low back pain, which is one of the major causes of disability worldwide, affecting more than 80% of the population. Although available treatments for degenerated IVD decrease symptoms' progression, they fail to address the underlying causes and to restore native IVD properties. Poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) has recently been shown to support the production of chondrogenic matrix by mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. gamma-PGA/chitosan (Ch) nanocomplexes (NCs) have been proposed for several biomedical applications, showing advantages compared with either polymer alone. Hence, this study explores the potential of gamma-PGA and gamma-PGA/Ch NCs for IVD regeneration. Nucleotomised bovine IVDs were cultured ex vivo upon injection of gamma-PGA (pH 7.4) and gamma-PGA/Ch NCs (pH 5.0 and pH 7.4). Tissue metabolic activity and nucleus pulposus DNA content were significantly reduced when NCs were injected in acidic-buffered solution (pH 5.0). However, at pH 7.4, both gamma-PGA and NCs promoted sulphated glycosaminoglycan production and significant type II collagen synthesis, as determined at the protein level. This study is a first proof of concept that gamma-PGA and gamma-PGA/Ch NCs promote recovery of IVD native matrix, opening new perspectives on the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for IVD degeneration.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17