In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 16, No. 6 ( 2021-6-3), p. e0252672-
Abstract:
Collagen cross-links contribute to the mechanical resilience of the intervertebral disc (IVD). UVA-light-activated riboflavin-induced collagen crosslinking (UVA-CXL) is a well-established and effective ophthalmological intervention that increases the mechanical rigidity of the collagen-rich corneal matrix in Keratoconus. This study explores the feasibility, safety and efficacy of translating this intervention in reinforcing the IVD. Methods Annulus fibrosus (AF) cells were isolated from bovine IVDs and treated with different combinations of riboflavin (RF) concentrations (0.05–8 mM) and UVA light intensities (0.3–4 mW/cm 2 ). Metabolic activity (resazurin assay), cell viability (TUNEL assay), and gene expression of apoptosis regulators C-FOS and PT5 were assessed immediately and 24 hours after treatment. Biomechanical effects of UVA-CXL on IVDs were measured by indentation analysis of changes in the instantaneous modulus and by peel-force delamination strength analysis of the AF prior and after treatment. Results Different intensities of UVA did not impair the metabolic activity of AF cells. However, RF affected metabolic activity (p 〈 0.001). PT53 expression was similar in all RF conditions tested while C-FOS expression decreased 24 hours after treatment. Twenty-four hours after treatment, no apoptotic cells were observed in any condition tested. Biomechanical characterizations showed a significant increase in the annular peel strength of the UVA-CXL group, when compared to controls of UVA and RF alone (p 〈 0.05). UVA-CXL treated IVDs showed up to 152% higher (p 〈 0.001) instantaneous modulus values compared to the untreated control. Conclusion This is the first study on UVA-CXL treatment of IVD. It induced significantly increased delamination strength and instantaneous modulus indentation values in intact IVD samples in a structure–function relationship. RF concentrations and UVA intensities utilized in ophthalmological clinical protocols were well tolerated by the AF cells. Our findings suggest that UVA-CXL may be a promising tool to reinforce the IVD matrix.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.g007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0252672.t001
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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