Fig. 10.

Injectable nanostructured colloidal gels resembling native NPs as MSC carriers for the repair of degenerated intervertebral discs. (A) The scheme shows the colloidal network formation as a matrix for 3D cell encapsulation and culture in the IVD degeneration rat model. (B) MSC proliferation on different concentrations of gelatin colloidal gels after 1, 4, and 7 days of culture were evaluated by a CCK-8 assay and compared to MSCs on tissue culture plates (TCPs). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01. (C) After 7, 14, and 28 days of subcutaneous implantation, the residual gels were quantified. (D) Morphological differences of IVDs by macroscopic views showing the changes of IVD structure after 16 weeks of implantation. (E) Representative MRI images of discs 4 weeks after modeling and 16 weeks after treatment. (F) Degeneration grade of IVDs was morphologically evaluated, and (G) the disc height index was quantitatively assessed. (H) MRI signal intensity index of IVDs after 16 weeks of treatment. Reproduced with permission [151]. Copyright 2021, Published by Elsevier B.V.