Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41852450›Full record

ArticleRegenerative therapy2026

Harnessing Platelet-derived factors to reactivate Nucleus Pulposus cells in Intervertebral Disc Regeneration.

M Nardini, A Muraglia, A Zanirato, C Gentili, E Giannarelli, P Ferrari, G Filaci, R Cancedda, M Formica, M Mastrogiacomo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Regenerative therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

M NardiniDepartment of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, 6 16132, Genoa, Italy.
A MuragliaDepartment of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, 6 16132, Genoa, Italy.
A ZaniratoIRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
C GentiliIRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
E GiannarelliIRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
P FerrariDepartment of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, 6 16132, Genoa, Italy.
G FilaciDepartment of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, 6 16132, Genoa, Italy.
R CanceddaEmeritus Professor, Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, via Leon Battista Alberti 2, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
M FormicaIRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
M MastrogiacomoDepartment of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), University of Genoa, viale Benedetto XV, 6 16132, Genoa, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in the elderly population. Current treatment options range from conservative approaches to invasive surgical interventions. In intervertebral disc (IVD) disease, the degeneration of the Nucleus Pulposus (NP) is a key factor in the initiation of the pathology. Several tissue engineering strategies have been explored to restore the NP cell and matrix components, using adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and, more recently, induced pluripotent stem cells. However, these approaches have not been fully successful due to the acidic environment of the NP, which is harmful to implanted heterologous cells.Recent studies have shown that platelet derivatives, particularly Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Lysate (PL), are effective in promoting connective tissue regeneration. Methods: This study aimed to explore the potential of PL to stimulate NP cell proliferation and differentiation, either by directly activating resident NP cells or by expanding them in vitro for subsequent implantation, with the overarching goal of promoting IVD regeneration. IVD biopsies were processed using two methods to isolate NP cells: enzymatic digestion (NPd), which degrades the extracellular matrix to release the cells, and direct plating of biopsy fragments (NPwd), which isolates migrating cells from the tissue. Phenotypic characterization was performed using flow cytometry to assess mesenchymal marker expression and cell proliferation was quantified by cell doubling counts. Chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated in a 3D culture model, followed by immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Our results demonstrate that NP cells cultured with PL show a progenitor-like state, with the ability to form cartilaginous pellets upon chondrogenic stimulation. Moreover, PL directly induces the release of progenitors from biopsy fragments, exhibiting mesenchymal stem cell-like properties and chondrogenic differentiation potential. Conclusions: In conclusion, PL supports the maintenance of a progenitor state in NP cells and may contribute to the regeneration of damaged IVD tissue by activating resident quiescent stem/progenitor cells within the disc.

Indexed as

Intervertebral discNucleus pulposus-derived cellsPlatelet derivativesRegeneration

Identifiers

PMID41852450
PMCPMC12992496

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.