Compositions of adult disc stem cells and methods for the treatment of degenerative disc disease

Abstract

This invention provides a tissue growth apparatus comprising one or more discospheres and a method of producing nucleus pulposus cells comprising the step of growing one or more discospheres on the tissue growth apparatus. This invention also provides a neo-engineered disc comprising nucleus pulposus cells, and related methods of production and methods of use.

1 . A two dimensional tissue growth apparatus comprising one or more discospheres. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises media. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said discospheres are seeded at approximately 1 sphere/cm 2 . 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said discospheres comprise disc stem cells, disc progenitor cells, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A three dimensional tissue growth apparatus comprising one or more discospheres. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus further comprises media. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said discospheres are seeded at approximately 1 sphere/cm 2 . 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said discospheres comprise disc stem cells, disc progenitor cells, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A method of producing nucleus pulposus cells, comprising the step of growing one or more discospheres on a two-dimensional apparatus, thereby producing disc stem cells. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nucleus pulposus cells express proteoglycans. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nucleus pulposus cells express mucopolysaccharides. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nucleus pulposus cells are motile. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nucleus pulposus cells are human nucleus pulposus cells. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nucleus pulposus cells comprise disc stem cells, disc progenitor cells, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said apparatus further comprises media. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said apparatus comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said discospheres are seeded at approximately 1 sphere/cm 2 . 
     
     
         22 .- 40 . (canceled)