Intradiscal injection of human recombinant BMP-4 does not reverse intervertebral disc degeneration induced by nuclectomy in sheep

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is suggested as a major cause of chronic low back pain (LBP). Intradiscal delivery of growth factors has been proposed as a promising strategy for IVD repair and regeneration. Previously, BMP-4 was shown to be more potent in promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) production than other BMPs and TGF-β in human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, suggesting its applicability for disc regeneration.