Architecture-Promoted Biomechanical Performance-Tuning of Tissue-Engineered Constructs for Biological Intervertebral Disc Replacement.

Background: Biological approaches to intervertebral disc (IVD) restoration and/or regeneration have become of increasing interest. However, the IVD comprises a viscoelastic system whose biological replacement remains challenging. The present study sought to design load-sharing two-component model systems of circular, nested, concentric elements reflecting the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus.