Transdiscal Administration Of Specific Inhibitors Of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract

The present invention relates to injecting a high specificity cytokine antagonist into a diseased intervertebral disc.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating a patient having low back pain, comprising, injecting a formulation into the disc of the patient, wherein the formulation comprises:
 i) concentrated, allogenic, mesenchymal progenitor cells, wherein the cells were obtained from bone marrow aspirate by immunoabsorption with antibodies selected to recognize:
 a) STRO-1 cell surface antigen; and 
 b) a cell adhesion molecule from the immunoglobulin superfamily having a first sequence comprising CXXXGXPXPXXXWXXXG; and 
   ii) a hyaluronic acid carrier.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cell adhesion molecule from the immunoglobulin superfamily has a second sequence comprising PXEXVXXXV. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cell adhesion molecule from the immunoglobulin superfamily has a third sequence comprising LXXXXXGXYXC. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cell adhesion molecule is SB-10. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibodies are selected to recognize alkaline phosphatase. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , which, prior to injection, further comprises:
 i. introducing a needle having a bore into a degenerating intervertebral disc of the patient, wherein the needle has a stylet in its bore; and   ii. removing the stylet from the bore,   
       wherein the injection of the formulation occurs through the needle and into the disc. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cells are concentrated using centrifugation. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cells are concentrated using filtration. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stem cells are derived from bone marrow aspirate. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cells are administered into the nucleus pulposus. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a portion of the nucleus pulposus is removed prior to administering the cells into the intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the administering of the cells is accomplished through a needle. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the needle has a maximum gauge of 24 gauge.