Degeneration of the intervertebral disk is a major pathological process implicated in low back pain. The causes of low back pain include genetics, environmental factors, and psychosocial factors. The anulus fibrosus makes up the peripheral portion of the disk structure, and is composed of fibrocartilage and type I and II collagen. Cells of the intervertebral disc are influenced by both biophysical and mechanical factors in their local environment. The annulus fibrosus cells can be stimulated by interleukin 1 beta to produce factors implicated in local degradative and inflammatory processes. Although mechanical stress is an important modulator of degeneration, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Human annulus fibrosus cells provide an in vitro model for the study of cellular and molecular events involved in disc degeneration, tissue engineering and cell therapy for spinal disc disorders. HAFC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from the annulus fibrosus of human intervertebral disc. HAFC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HAFC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to fibronectin and vimentin. HAFC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HAFC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use nucleus pulposus cell medium (NPCM, Cat. #4801) for the culturing of HAFC in vitro.