Regeneration potential and mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a primary cause of low back pain and has a high societal cost. The pathological mechanism by which the intervertebral disc degenerates is largely unknown. Cell-based therapy especially using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as seeds for transplantation, although still in its infancy, is proving to be a promising, realistic approach to intervertebral disc regeneration. This article reviews current advances regarding regeneration potential in both the in vivo and vitro studies of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy and discusses the up-to-date regeneration mechanisms of stem cell transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration.