Abstract
BackgroundTendons are traditionally thought to consist of tenocytes only, the resident cells of tendons; however, a recent study has demonstrated that human and mouse tendons also contain stem cells, referred to as tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSCs). However, the differential properties of TSCs and tenocytes remain largely undefined. This study aims to characterize the properties of these tendon cells derived from rabbits.MethodsTSCs and tenocytes were isolated from patellar and Achilles tendons of rabbits. The differentiation potential and cell marker expression of the two types of cells were examined using histochemical, immunohistochemical, and qRT-PCR analysis as well as in vivo implantation. In addition, morphology, colony formation, and proliferation of TSCs and tenocytes were also compared.ResultsIt was found that TSCs were able to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes in vitro, and form tendon-like, cartilage-like, and bone-like tissues in vivo. In contrast, tenocytes had little such differentiation potential. Moreover, TSCs expressed the stem cell markers Oct-4, SSEA-4, and nucleostemin, whereas tenocytes expressed none of these markers. Morphologically, TSCs possessed smaller cell bodies and larger nuclei than ordinary tenocytes and had cobblestone-like morphology in confluent culture whereas tenocytes were highly elongated. TSCs also proliferated more quickly than tenocytes in culture. Additionally, TSCs from patellar tendons formed more numerous and larger colonies and proliferated more rapidly than TSCs from Achilles tendons.ConclusionsTSCs exhibit distinct properties compared to tenocytes, including differences in cell marker expression, proliferative and differentiation potential, and cell morphology in culture. Future research should investigate the mechanobiology of TSCs and explore the possibility of using TSCs to more effectively repair or regenerate injured tendons.
Highlights
Tendons are traditionally thought to consist of tenocytes only, the resident cells of tendons; a recent study has demonstrated that human and mouse tendons contain stem cells, referred to as tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSCs)
Numerous colonies were formed at 10 days, and it is evident that patellar TSCs (PTSCs) formed more and larger colonies than Achilles TSCs (ATSCs) (Figure 1A, B, C, D)
After 21 days, numerous lipid droplets were detected on differentiated PTSCs and ATSCs (Figure 2A, E); a few lipid droplets were present in the control cells, which were cultured in basic growth medium without adipogenic supplements
Summary
Tendons are traditionally thought to consist of tenocytes only, the resident cells of tendons; a recent study has demonstrated that human and mouse tendons contain stem cells, referred to as tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSCs). The differential properties of TSCs and tenocytes remain largely undefined. This study aims to characterize the properties of these tendon cells derived from rabbits. Tendons are constantly subjected to large mechanical loads and, as a result, are prone to acute injuries. During sports activities, acute partial tendon injuries are common [1]. Injured tendons heal slowly and often result in the formation of inferior scar tissue or fibrous adhesions, which increases the risk of re-injury at the repair site. The pathogenic mechanisms of tendinopathy are unclear and current treatments are largely palliative. The restoration of normal structure and function of injured tendons represents one of the most challenging areas in orthopaedic medicine
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