Characterization of chondroitinase‐induced lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in a sheep model intended for assessing biomaterials

Abstract Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) leads to structural and functional changes. Biomaterials for restoring IVD function and promoting regeneration are currently being investigated; however, such approaches require validation using animal models that recapitulate clinical, biochemical, and biomechanical hallmarks of the human pathology. Herein, we comprehensively characterized a sheep model of chondroitinase‐ABC (ChABC) induced IVDD. Briefly, ChABC (1 U) was injected into the L _1/2 , L _2/3 , and L _3/4 IVDs. Degeneration was assessed via longitudinal magnetic resonance (MR) and radiographic imaging. Additionally, kinematic, biochemical, and histological analyses were performed on explanted functional spinal units (FSUs). At 17‐weeks, ChABC treated IVDs demonstrated significant reductions in MR index ( p = 0.030) and disc height ( p = 0.009) compared with pre‐operative values. Additionally, ChABC treated IVDs exhibited significantly increased creep displacement ( p = 0.004) and axial range of motion ( p = 0.007) concomitant with significant decreases in tensile ( p = 0.034) and torsional ( p = 0.021) stiffnesses and long‐term viscoelastic properties ( p = 0.016). ChABC treated IVDs also exhibited a significant decrease in NP glycosaminoglycan: hydroxyproline ratio ( p = 0.002) and changes in microarchitecture, particularly in the NP and endplates, compared with uninjured IVDs. Taken together, this study demonstrated that intradiscal injection of ChABC induces significant degeneration in sheep lumbar IVDs and the potential for using this model in evaluating biomaterials for IVD repair, regeneration, or fusion.