Cells in the endplate cartilage contribute to the inner annulus fibrosus in the intervertebral disc

Oral Presentations: S2.06INTRODUCTION: Intervertebral disk (IVD) consists of three major structural components; a gelatinous nucleus pulposus (NP) in the center surrounded by a lamellar structured annulus fibrosus (AF), sandwiched between two cartilaginous endplates (EPs). These structures act synergistically, facilitating motions of the spine and acting as shock absorbers along the spine. Degenerative signals that lead to changes in cell phenotype or extracellular matrix in any of these compartments may cause IVD degeneration. However, we do not fully understand the origin and differentiation of cells in the IVD. Recently, a cell lineage tracing study confirmed that the original of the NP cells are deri...link_to_OA_fulltex