Allergy-induced systemic inflammation impairs tendon quality

This study investigates whether systemic inflammation caused by allergies can affect tendon health. Mice were exposed to a pollen allergen to induce an allergic response, and their tendons were analyzed. Data from a human health survey was also analyzed to find a connection between allergies and tendinopathy. The study found that tendons from allergic mice showed reduced elasticity and tensile strength, along with changes in the tendon matrix. Additionally, exposing tendon-like structures to serum from allergic mice led to changes in gene expression related to matrix remodeling. The human health study revealed that individuals with allergies are more likely to develop tendinopathies, suggesting that systemic inflammation from allergic conditions can negatively impact tendon structure and function.

• 1
  Tendons from allergic mice exhibited a significant reduction in both elastic modulus and tensile stress.
• 2
  Treatment with sera from allergic mice resulted in a matrix-remodelling expression profile and increased expression of macrophage-associated markers and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) in allergic Achilles tendons.
• 3
  Persons suffering from an allergy have an increased propensity to develop a tendinopathy.