Bj. Desai et al., The influence of Matrigel (TM) or growth factor reduced Matrigel (TM) on human intervertebral disc cell growth and proliferation, HIST HISTOP, 14(2), 1999, pp. 359-368
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.