Anti‐Stress and Anti‐ROS Effects of MnOx‐Functionalized Thermosensitive Nanohydrogel Protect BMSCs for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Repair

Abstract Stem cell transplantation is proven to be a promising strategy for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) repair. However, replicative senescence of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), shear damage during direct injection, mechanical stress, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐rich microenvironment in degenerative intervertebral discs (IVDs) cause significant cellular damage and limit the therapeutic efficacy. Here, an injectable manganese oxide (MnOx)‐functionalized thermosensitive nanohydrogel is proposed for BMSC transplantation for IDD therapy. The MnOx‐functionalized thermosensitive nanohydrogel not only successfully protects BMSCs from shear force and mechanical stress before and after injection, but also repairs the harsh high‐ROS environment in degenerative IVDs, thus effectively increasing the viability of BMSCs and resident nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). The MnOx‐functionalized thermosensitive nanohydrogel provides mechanical protection for stem cells and helps to remove endogenous ROS, providing a promising stem cell delivery platform for the treatment of IDD.