| Popis: |
Severe and chronic low back pain is the most common cause of disability and frequently results from degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD). Current management of IVD degeneration is aimed at symptomatic relief by supportive measures and surgical interventions, often with a limited amount of success. Bioengineering strategies to restore disc structure and function have emerged as attractive solutions; however, the low regenerative capacity of the IVD is a major impediment to the success of such approaches. The role of biomaterials is considered critical to overcome this challenge by serving as a cell carrier, providing an optimal microenvironment for implanted cells, and restoring disc biomechanics. In the past two decades, peptide materials have secured a distinct niche in the biomaterials space with high promise for tissue engineering and regenerative applications. In this chapter we will discuss the mechanisms of IVD degeneration, the challenges associated with the regeneration process, and the current advancement of peptide materials in this frontier. |
