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Li H, Liu X, Zhang L, Zhang L. Plunge-Freezing Cryopreservation of Tendons. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 38916446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Allograft transplantation is an important method for tendon reconstruction after injury, and its clinical success highly relies on the storage and transportation of the grafts. Cryopreservation is a promising strategy for tendon storage. In this study, we report a novel cryopreservation agent (CPA) formulation with a high biocompatibility for tendon cryopreservation. Mainly composed of natural zwitterionic betaine and the biocompatible polymer poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), it exhibited ideal abilities to depress the freezing point and inhibit ice growth and recrystallization. Notably, after cryopreservation via plunge-freezing for 1 month, Young's modulus (144 MPa, 98% of fresh tendons) and ultimate stress (46.7 MPa, 99% of fresh tendons) remained stable, and the cross-linking of collagen microfibers, protein structures, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents changed slightly. These results indicate that the formulation (5 wt % betaine and 5 wt % PVP in phosphate-buffered saline, PBS solution) effectively maintains the biomechanical properties and tissue structure. This work offers a novel cryopreservation method for tendons and may also provide insights into the long-term preservation of various other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Li
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xinmeng Liu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Liming Zhang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
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Lake SP, Snedeker JG, Wang VM, Awad H, Screen HRC, Thomopoulos S. Guidelines for ex vivo mechanical testing of tendon. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2105-2113. [PMID: 37312619 PMCID: PMC10528429 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tendons are critical for the biomechanical function of joints. Tendons connect muscles to bones and allow for the transmission of muscle forces to facilitate joint motion. Therefore, characterizing the tensile mechanical properties of tendons is important for the assessment of functional tendon health and efficacy of treatments for acute and chronic injuries. In this guidelines paper, we review methodological considerations, testing protocols, and key outcome measures for mechanical testing of tendons. The goal of the paper is to present a simple set of guidelines to the nonexpert seeking to perform tendon mechanical tests. The suggested approaches provide rigorous and consistent methodologies for standardized biomechanical characterization of tendon and reporting requirements across laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer P. Lake
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Vincent M. Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Hani Awad
- Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Hazel R. C. Screen
- School of Engineering & Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Stavros Thomopoulos
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Johnson PA, Ackerman JE, Kurowska-Stolarska M, Coles M, Buckley CD, Dakin SG. Three-dimensional, in-vitro approaches for modelling soft-tissue joint diseases. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 5:e553-e563. [PMID: 38251499 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00190-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Diseases affecting the soft tissues of the joint represent a considerable global health burden, causing pain and disability and increasing the likelihood of developing metabolic comorbidities. Current approaches to investigating the cellular basis of joint diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinopathy, and arthrofibrosis, involve well phenotyped human tissues, animal disease models, and in-vitro tissue culture models. Inherent challenges in preclinical drug discovery have driven the development of state-of-the-art, in-vitro human tissue models to rapidly advance therapeutic target discovery. The clinical potential of such models has been substantiated through successful recapitulation of the pathobiology of cancers, generating accurate predictions of patient responses to therapeutics and providing a basis for equivalent musculoskeletal models. In this Review, we discuss the requirement to develop physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) culture systems that could advance understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of diseases that affect the soft tissues of the joint. We discuss the practicalities and challenges associated with modelling the complex extracellular matrix of joint tissues-including cartilage, synovium, tendon, and ligament-highlighting the importance of considering the joint as a whole organ to encompass crosstalk across tissues and between diverse cell types. The design of bespoke in-vitro models for soft-tissue joint diseases has the potential to inform functional studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease onset, progression, and resolution. Use of these models could inform precision therapeutic targeting and advance the field towards personalised medicine for patients with common musculoskeletal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Johnson
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jessica E Ackerman
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Mark Coles
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher D Buckley
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephanie G Dakin
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Shojaee A. Equine tendon mechanical behaviour: Prospects for repair and regeneration applications. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2053-2069. [PMID: 37471573 PMCID: PMC10508504 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tendons are dense connective tissues that play an important role in the biomechanical function of the musculoskeletal system. The mechanical forces have been implicated in every aspect of tendon biology. Tendon injuries are frequently occurring and their response to treatments is often unsatisfactory. A better understanding of tendon biomechanics and mechanobiology can help develop treatment options to improve clinical outcomes. Recently, tendon tissue engineering has gained more attention as an alternative treatment due to its potential to overcome the limitations of current treatments. This review first provides a summary of tendon mechanical properties, focusing on recent findings of tendon mechanobiological responses. In the next step, we highlight the biomechanical parameters of equine energy-storing and positional tendons. The final section is devoted to how mechanical loading contributes to tenogenic differentiation using bioreactor systems. This study may help develop novel strategies for tendon injury prevention or accelerate and improve tendon healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiyeh Shojaee
- Division of PhysiologyDepartment of Basic SciencesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
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Waugh CM, Mousavizadeh R, Lee J, Screen HRC, Scott A. Mild hypercholesterolemia impacts achilles sub-tendon mechanical properties in young rats. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023; 24:282. [PMID: 37046262 PMCID: PMC10091839 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06375-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypercholesterolemia is associated with tendon pathology, but the reasons underpinning this relationship are not well understood. Cholesterol can accumulate in the tendon non-collagenous matrix which may affect both global and local tissue mechanics. Changes to the local strain environment within tendon may have significant implications for mechanosensitive tenocytes. Here, we investigated the association between elevated blood cholesterol and presence of tendon lipids in the Achilles tendon. We expected lipids to be localised in the proteoglycan-rich inter-sub-tendon matrix (ISTM), therefore we also sought to examine the impact of this on the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the ISTM. METHODS The Achilles tendons of 32 young wild-type (SD) and 32 apolipoprotein E knock-out rats (ApoE-/-) were harvested at 15.6 ± 2.3 weeks of age. 32 specimens underwent histological examination to assess the distribution of lipids throughout sub-tendons and ISTM. The remaining specimens were prepared for biomechanical testing, where the ISTM between the gastrocnemius and soleus sub-tendons was subjected to shear load mechanical testing. A sub-set of tests were video recorded to enable a strain analysis. RESULTS ApoE-/- serum cholesterol was double that of SD rats (mean 2.25 vs. 1.10 mg/ml, p < 0.001) indicating a relatively mild hypercholesterolemia phenotype. Nonetheless, we found histological evidence of esterified lipids in the ISTM and unesterified lipids in the sub-tendons, although the location or intensity of staining was not appreciably different between rat strains. Despite a lack of observable histological differences in lipid content between groups, there were significant differences in the mechanical and viscoelastic behaviour of the Achilles sub-tendon matrix. CONCLUSION Even slightly elevated cholesterol may result in subtle changes to tendon biomechanical properties and hence injury risk. The young age of our cohort and the mild phenotype of our ApoE-/- rats are likely to have limited our findings and so we also conclude that the ApoE-/- rat model is not well suited for investigating the biomechanical impact of tendon xanthomas on Achilles sub-tendon function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie M Waugh
- Dept. Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada.
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, London, U.K..
| | - Rouhollah Mousavizadeh
- Dept. Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Jenny Lee
- Dept. Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Hazel R C Screen
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, London, U.K
| | - Alexander Scott
- Dept. Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
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Murtola T, Richards C. The impact of age-related increase in passive muscle stiffness on simulated upper limb reaching. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:221453. [PMID: 36778951 PMCID: PMC9905985 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ageing changes the musculoskeletal and neural systems, potentially affecting a person's ability to perform daily living activities. One of these changes is increased passive stiffness of muscles, but its contribution to performance is difficult to separate experimentally from other ageing effects such as loss of muscle strength or cognitive function. A computational upper limb model was used to study the effects of increasing passive muscle stiffness on reaching performance across the model's workspace (all points reachable with a given model geometry). The simulations indicated that increased muscle stiffness alone caused deterioration of reaching accuracy, starting from the edges of the workspace. Re-tuning the model's control parameters to match the ageing muscle properties does not fully reverse ageing effects but can improve accuracy in selected regions of the workspace. The results suggest that age-related muscle stiffening, isolated from other ageing effects, impairs reaching performance. The model also exhibited oscillatory instability in a few simulations when the controller was tuned to the presence of passive muscle stiffness. This instability is not observed in humans, implying the presence of natural stabilizing strategies, thus pointing to the adaptive capacity of neural control systems as a potential area of future investigation in age-related muscle stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina Murtola
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Christopher Richards
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
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Schulze-Tanzil GG, Delgado-Calcares M, Stange R, Wildemann B, Docheva D. Tendon healing: a concise review on cellular and molecular mechanisms with a particular focus on the Achilles tendon. Bone Joint Res 2022; 11:561-574. [PMID: 35920195 PMCID: PMC9396922 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.118.bjr-2021-0576.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tendon is a bradytrophic and hypovascular tissue, hence, healing remains a major challenge. The molecular key events involved in successful repair have to be unravelled to develop novel strategies that reduce the risk of unfavourable outcomes such as non-healing, adhesion formation, and scarring. This review will consider the diverse pathophysiological features of tendon-derived cells that lead to failed healing, including misrouted differentiation (e.g. de- or transdifferentiation) and premature cell senescence, as well as the loss of functional progenitors. Many of these features can be attributed to disturbed cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) or unbalanced soluble mediators involving not only resident tendon cells, but also the cross-talk with immigrating immune cell populations. Unrestrained post-traumatic inflammation could hinder successful healing. Pro-angiogenic mediators trigger hypervascularization and lead to persistence of an immature repair tissue, which does not provide sufficient mechano-competence. Tendon repair tissue needs to achieve an ECM composition, structure, strength, and stiffness that resembles the undamaged highly hierarchically ordered tendon ECM. Adequate mechano-sensation and -transduction by tendon cells orchestrate ECM synthesis, stabilization by cross-linking, and remodelling as a prerequisite for the adaptation to the increased mechanical challenges during healing. Lastly, this review will discuss, from the cell biological point of view, possible optimization strategies for augmenting Achilles tendon (AT) healing outcomes, including adapted mechanostimulation and novel approaches by restraining neoangiogenesis, modifying stem cell niche parameters, tissue engineering, the modulation of the inflammatory cells, and the application of stimulatory factors.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(8):561-574.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Delgado-Calcares
- Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richard Stange
- Department of Regenerative Musculoskeletal Medicine, Institute for Musculoskeletal Medicine (IMM), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Britt Wildemann
- Department of Experimental Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Denitsa Docheva
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration, Orthopaedic Hospital König-Ludwig-Haus, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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HIF-1α inhibition attenuates severity of Achilles tendinopathy by blocking NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 106:108543. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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9
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Eekhoff JD, Abraham JA, Schott HR, Solon LF, Ulloa GE, Zellers JA, Cannon PC, Lake SP. Fascicular elastin within tendon contributes to the magnitude and modulus gradient of the elastic stress response across tendon type and species. Acta Biomater 2022; 163:91-105. [PMID: 35306182 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Elastin, the main component of elastic fibers, has been demonstrated to significantly influence tendon mechanics using both elastin degradation studies and elastinopathic mouse models. However, it remains unclear how prior results differ between species and functionally distinct tendons and, in particular, how results translate to human tendon. Differences in function between fascicular and interfascicular elastin are also yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, this study evaluated the quantity, structure, and mechanical contribution of elastin in functionally distinct tendons across species. Tendons with an energy-storing function had slightly more elastin content than tendons with a positional function, and human tendon had at least twice the elastin content of other species. While distinctions in the organization of elastic fibers between fascicles and the interfascicular matrix were observed, differences in structural arrangement of the elastin network between species and tendon type were limited. Mechanical testing paired with enzyme-induced elastin degradation was used to evaluate the contribution of elastin to tendon mechanics. Across all tendons, elastin degradation affected the elastic stress response by decreasing stress values while increasing the modulus gradient of the stress-strain curve. Only the contributions of elastin to viscoelastic properties varied between tendon type and species, with human tendon and energy-storing tendon being more affected. These data suggest that fascicular elastic fibers contribute to the tensile mechanical response of tendon, likely by regulating collagen engagement under load. Results add to prior findings and provide evidence for a more mechanistic understanding of the role of elastic fibers in tendon. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Elastin has previously been shown to influence the mechanical properties of tendon, and degraded or abnormal elastin networks caused by aging or disease may contribute to pain and an increased risk of injury. However, prior work has not fully determined how elastin contributes differently to tendons with varying functional demands, as well as within distinct regions of tendon. This study determined the effects of elastin degradation on the tensile elastic and viscoelastic responses of tendons with varying functional demands, hierarchical structures, and elastin content. Moreover, volumetric imaging and protein quantification were used to thoroughly characterize the elastin network in each distinct tendon. The results presented herein can inform tendon-specific strategies to maintain or restore native properties in elastin-degraded tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Eekhoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, MSC: 1185-208-125, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - James A Abraham
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, United States
| | - Hayden R Schott
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, United States
| | - Lorenzo F Solon
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, United States
| | - Gabriella E Ulloa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Jennifer A Zellers
- Department of Physical Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, United States
| | - Paul C Cannon
- Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University - Idaho, United States
| | - Spencer P Lake
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, MSC: 1185-208-125, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, United States; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, , United States.
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Navarro J, Korcari A, Nguyen P, Bah I, AlKhalifa A, Fink S, Buckley M, Kuo CK. Method Development and Characterization of Chick Embryo Tendon Mechanical Properties. J Biomech 2022; 133:110970. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.110970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Marr N, Meeson R, Kelly EF, Fang Y, Peffers MJ, Pitsillides AA, Dudhia J, Thorpe CT. CD146 Delineates an Interfascicular Cell Sub-Population in Tendon That Is Recruited during Injury through Its Ligand Laminin-α4. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9729. [PMID: 34575887 PMCID: PMC8472220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The interfascicular matrix (IFM) binds tendon fascicles and contains a population of morphologically distinct cells. However, the role of IFM-localised cell populations in tendon repair remains to be determined. The basement membrane protein laminin-α4 also localises to the IFM. Laminin-α4 is a ligand for several cell surface receptors, including CD146, a marker of pericyte and progenitor cells. We used a needle injury model in the rat Achilles tendon to test the hypothesis that the IFM is a niche for CD146+ cells that are mobilised in response to tendon damage. We also aimed to establish how expression patterns of circulating non-coding RNAs alter with tendon injury and identify potential RNA-based markers of tendon disease. The results demonstrate the formation of a focal lesion at the injury site, which increased in size and cellularity for up to 21 days post injury. In healthy tendon, CD146+ cells localised to the IFM, compared with injury, where CD146+ cells migrated towards the lesion at days 4 and 7, and populated the lesion 21 days post injury. This was accompanied by increased laminin-α4, suggesting that laminin-α4 facilitates CD146+ cell recruitment at injury sites. We also identified a panel of circulating microRNAs that are dysregulated with tendon injury. We propose that the IFM cell niche mediates the intrinsic response to injury, whereby an injury stimulus induces CD146+ cell migration. Further work is required to fully characterise CD146+ subpopulations within the IFM and establish their precise roles during tendon healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Marr
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK; (N.M.); (A.A.P.)
| | - Richard Meeson
- Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; (R.M.); (E.F.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Elizabeth F. Kelly
- Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; (R.M.); (E.F.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Yongxiang Fang
- Centre for Genomic Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
| | - Mandy J. Peffers
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Apex Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 9TX, UK;
| | - Andrew A. Pitsillides
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK; (N.M.); (A.A.P.)
| | - Jayesh Dudhia
- Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; (R.M.); (E.F.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Chavaunne T. Thorpe
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK; (N.M.); (A.A.P.)
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