Human Disc Degeneration Is Accompanied by a Loss of Anterior Annulus Fibrosus Interlamellar Matrix Integrity as Assessed by Peel Tests

The mechanical integrity of the ILM was determined to be lower in surgical DD individuals compared to non-DD donors. Aging alone may not have affected the results, and rather, loss of the integrity of ILM during disease progression appeared to have significantly contributed to the differences observed. This study provides new mechanical insights into the delamination often observed in the AF of surgical DD individuals. Future biochemical and immunolocalization studies, integrated with mechanical data, will aim to understand the role of collagen and elastin structure and composition in the decreased mechanical integrity of affected tissues.