ECTOPIC LOCALIZATION OF NEURAL CREST CELLS: ETIOLOGICAL FACTOR OF SCOLIOSIS

Objective. To identify cell phenotypes in vertebral body growth plates from patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Material and Methods . Cells were isolated from vertebral body growth plates both on convex and concave sides of the deformity in patients operated on for scoliosis. Cells were cultured and identified by methods of common morphology, neuromorphology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and PCR analysis. Results . Cultured cells obtained from the convex side of the deformity were identified as chondroblasts. Cells isolated from growth plates on the concave side of the deformity were described as neuro- and glioblasts. Cells formed synapses, contained neurofilaments, and expressed neural and glial proteins, respectively. Conclusion . Ectopic localization of neural crest-derived cells in vertebral body growth plates is the etiological factor for scoliotic disease.