The influence of Matrigel (TM) or growth factor reduced Matrigel (TM) on human intervertebral disc cell growth and proliferation

Matrigel(TM) (reconstituted basement membrane extract) is a potent inducer of cell growth and differentiation in vitro. This study examined phenotypic variation and proliferative responses of human annular intervertebral disc cells in vitro in Matrigel(TM) and Growth Factor Reduced Matrigel(TM) (GFR -Matrigel(TM)). Cells from age- and gender-matched control subjects and pat ients with degenerative disc disease were grown either on the surface of, o r suspended within, either matrices. Disc cells grew well on top of both ma trices with cells spontaneously forming cell projections. Cells grown withi n either matrix migrated within the gel to form colonies. Increased colony formation within the matrices was seen with young control and patient cells (p<0.05). Old and young control and patient cells showed increased prolife ration within GFR-Matrigel(TM) compared to Matrigel(TM) When grown on the m atrix surface, young patient and control donor cells showed increased proli feration on GFR-Matrigel(TM) compared to Matrigel(TM). Cellular proliferati on was significantly greater inside a 3-dimensional environment than a two- dimensional surface monolayer environment. Disc cells had increased prolife ration when grown in or on GFR-Matrigel(TM) compared to Matrigel(TM). These studies serve as a baseline for subsequent investigations regarding effect s of cytokines on disc cells and increase our knowledge of the influence of extracellular matrices on disc cell proliferation.