Bundang CHA Hospital and Rutgers University researchers have developed three-dimensional hybrid protein nanoscaffolds, which deliver anti-inflammatory drugs to people with degenerative discs.

Chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease has a very complex etiology and requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

The team, led by Professors Han In-bo at Bundang CHA Hospital and Lee Ki-bum at Rutgers University, fabricated 2D manganese dioxide nanosheets and combined them with gelatin. Afterward, the team used 3D hybridization technology to create 3D protein nanoscaffolds that were injectable and biodegradable in vivo.

In an animal model, the team injected the drug-containing 3D hybrid protein nanoscaffolds after removing the nucleus pulposus from a rat's caudal disc and found that the treatment restored the damaged disc.

"The study is significant in providing a new technology platform to treat degenerative disc disease by developing 3D hybrid protein nanoscaffolds that can effectively scavenge free radicals and induce the sustained release of anti-inflammatory drugs," Professor Han said. "We believe the technology will effectively treat patients with chronic low back pain caused by degenerative discs."

Advanced Materials published the study results.