The Endplate Role in Degenerative Disc Disease Research: The Isolation of Human Chondrocytes from Vertebral Endplate-An Optimised Protocol.

The reported cell isolation process is simple, economical and quick, allowing establishment of a viable long-term cell culture. The availability of a vertebral endplate cell model will permit the study of cell properties, biochemical aspects, the potential of therapeutic candidates for the treatment of disc degeneration, and toxicology studies in a well-controlled environment.