[Advances of nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the research of nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: The original articles in recent years about nucleus pulposus cells for treating intervertebral disc degeneration were extensively reviewed, and retrospective and comprehensive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Nucleus pulposus cells are not only simply a remnant of embryonic notochordal cells, but have also an important influence on the well-being of the whole disc. The biological treatment strategies aim to regenerate the disc by either trying to improve the micro-environment within the disc or to increase the population of the nucleus pulposus, which includes transplanting mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into nucleus-like cells in the degenerated intervertebral disc. CONCLUSION: Nucleus pulposus cells or nucleus pulposus like cells based cell transplantation methods prove to be a promising and realistic approach for the intervertebral disc regeneration.