Evidence mapPaperPMID 41528500Full record

ReviewApoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death2026

Multi-layered integrated shielding: engineering ferroptosis-resistant mesenchymal stem cells for precision therapy of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Yuzhu Xu, Zhanyang Qian, Mingliang Ji, Jun Lu

Abstract readReview
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In one paragraph

Review in Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yuzhu Xu *Department of Spine Center, Orthopedics Department, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, No. 87 DingJiaQiao, GuLou District, Nanjing City, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China. Dr.XuYuzhu@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-7911-6043
Zhanyang QianDepartment of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, Jiangsu, China.
Mingliang JiThe Center of Joint and Sports Medicine, Orthopedics Department, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, No. 87 DingJiaQiao, GuLou District, Nanjing City, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Jun Lu *The Center of Joint and Sports Medicine, Orthopedics Department, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, No. 87 DingJiaQiao, GuLou District, Nanjing City, 210009, Jiangsu Province, China. lujun-joint@seu.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82272557
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIntervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a predominant cause of low back pain, and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation represents a promising therapeutic strategy. However, its efficacy is severely limited by the harsh oxidative microenvironment of the degenerative disc, which rapidly triggers ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, in transplanted MSCs.

methodThis review critically appraised current ferroptosis-inhibition strategies, highlighting their transient or single-axis limitations. We then synthesized a hierarchical framework for engineering robust MSC resistance, progressing from dual-target gene circuits and genetic-pharmacological alliances to smart, protective biomaterial niches.

resultConventional approaches provide only partial protection. In contrast, advanced multi-layered strategies, including dual-target gene circuits (e.g., the Prominin-2/FBXO22/BACH1 axis) potentiated by genetic-pharmacological alliances (e.g., with TBE56), confer superior, cell-intrinsic resilience, increasing MSC survival by approximately 1.5-fold and significantly improving regenerative outcomes in IVDD models. Furthermore, encapsulating engineered MSCs in responsive biomaterials establishes a protective niche, ensuring sustained function.

conclusionThe paradigm is shifting from passive protection to active cellular empowerment. Engineering MSCs with multi-layered, comprehensive ferroptosis shielding is fundamental to unlocking their full therapeutic potential. This engineered cellular empowerment strategy represents a paradigm shift from palliative care to potentially curative, regenerative treatment for IVDD, with the potential to fundamentally change clinical management by addressing the root cause of MSC therapy failure.

Indexed as

FerroptosisIntervertebral Disc DegenerationMesenchymal Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationPrecision MedicineAnimalsHumansFerroptosisIntervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD)Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)Prominin-2Stem cell engineering

Identifiers

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.