Nucleus pulposus cells as competent phagocytes to clear apoptotic cells: mission applicable or impossible? Authors' response

First paragraph (this article has no abstract)

We thank Dr Wang and Dr Luo for their interest in our paper demonstrating the ability of intervertebral disc cells to undergo phagocytosis [1], and we can certainly concur with some of the points they raise [2]. In fact, we addressed the first point in the last paragraph of the Discussion, stating that 'Although disc cells usually occur in isolation ...', disc cells do occur adjacent to each other in clusters of cells that are common in degenerate discs [1]. It is in this situation that we suggest our findings could have relevance in vivo in humans.