Fibroblast growth factor-2 maintains the differentiation potential of nucleus pulposus cells in vitro: implications for cell-based transplantation therapy.

Study Design.To investigate effects of FGF-2 on nucleus pulposus cell growth and differentiation.Objectives.To elucidate the phenotypic changes that occur during expansion of nucleus pulposus cells in monolayer culture, and to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 on cell growt