Repair and/or reconstitution of invertebral discs

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for repair and reconstitution of invertebral discs in a subject which involves administration of STRO-1′ multipotent cells. The method of the invention is useful in the treatment of spinal conditions characterized by degeneration of the invertebral disc.

1 . A method for treating low back pain caused by a degenerated intervertebral disc in a human subject, the method comprising administering into the intervertebral disc space of the degenerated intervertebral disc a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a culture-expanded population of allogeneic human cells enriched for non-hematopoietic, TNAP+multipotential cells and/or progeny cells thereof, wherein the population of human cells is substantially free of CD34+ cells. 
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising administering to the intervertebral disc space a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the GAG is selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, heparin, heparin sulfate, and galactosaminoglycuronglycan sulfate (GGGS). 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein six months after the administration the disc height index (DHI) of the subject's intervertebral disc is greater than the DHI of the subject's intervertebral disc prior to the administration. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises intradiscal injection. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , comprising administration into the nucleus pulposus (NP) or the annulus fibrosus (AF).