Characterization and evaluation of in vitro matrix production of intervertebral disc cells

The in vitro behavior of explanted intervertebral disc cells in two- and three-dimensional configurations was examined. Samples of caprine intervertebral discs were extracted from healthy animals using surgical techniques. The annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus were separated manually and minced. To permit cell growth in three dimensions, cells were seeded in an alginate gel suspension. After two weeks, the samples were fixed and processed using standard paraffin processing techniques. Histological sections of healthy caprine intervertebral discs were used as controls, and the cell culture samples were compared with controls in terms of cell type and density, and collagen and proteoglycan contents.