An in vitro 3D annulus fibrosus cell culture model with type I collagen: An examination of cell-matrix interactions

Background: Disorders of the intervertebral disc (IVD) are widely known to result in low back pain; one of the most common debilitating conditions worldwide. As a multifaceted condition, both inflammatory environment and mechanical factors can play a crucial role in IVD damage, and in particular, in the annulus fibrosus (AF), the highly collagenous outer ring of the IVD. As a result, a better understanding of how cells from the IVD, and specifically the AF, interact and respond to their environment is imperative.

Goal: The goal of this study is to use collagen type I as an in vitro three-dimensional extracellular matrix for AF cells of IVD and briefly examine both the cellular and mechanical effect of exposure to an inflammatory stimulant.

Methods: We utilized type I collagen as a 3D in vitro model material for culturing AF cells of Sprague Dawley rat tail IVDs.

Results: We showed that the cultured cells are viable and metabolically active; these cells also induced a distinct and significant contraction on their collagen matrix. Furthermore, to demonstrate potential versatility of our model our model and its versatility, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a known inflammatory stimulant in IVDs, to manipulate the cells and their interaction. LPS treatment resulted in detectable changes to the contraction cells induced on the collagen matrix and affected the mechanical properties of these constructs.