Abstract: Disc degeneration is a substantial clinical problem. Disc degeneration begins with a loss of disc cells and alterations in the extracellular matrix of the nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Recently, as the molecular basis of disc degeneration becomes increasingly understood, various biologic strategies to repair or regenerate the degenerative disc have been suggested. One promising approach for this problem involves the use of tissue engineering to regenerate the degenerative disc for achieving functional tissue repair. The authors reviewed the main progress of the NP tissue engineering from cells, scaffolds, growth factor.

Key words: nucleus pulposus, tissue engineering, stem cells, growth factor, scaffolds, review