Editorial: Tendinopathy Research- How Cutting Edge Developments Inform the Future Therapeutic Landscape

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2022 · DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.928144 · Published: May 13, 2022

Orthopedics Biomedical Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Tendons heal slowly due to having few cells and poor blood supply, often forming scar tissue that impairs function. New treatments aim to improve tendon regeneration using special materials and agents that modulate the immune system and promote regeneration. Inflammation plays a crucial role in tendon health, affecting how tendon cells behave, function, and repair themselves. Understanding and controlling inflammation is key to treating tendinopathies effectively. Researchers are exploring how the stiffness of the material surrounding tendon cells and the conditions in which they are grown in the lab can influence their behavior and potential for regeneration.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Human samples of tendinopathy

Evidence Level

Level not specified, in vitro studies to molecular interrogation

Key Findings

1
Pathological inflammation differs from reparative inflammation, and immunomodulatory therapies could be effective if timed correctly.
2
Tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) are highly adaptable, and their development can be influenced by controlling the density at which they are cultured.
3
IL-17 cytokines can amplify inflammation in tendinopathy, suggesting they could be targets for therapeutic intervention.

Research Summary

This editorial highlights the growing need for effective strategies to repair musculoskeletal tissue, especially tendon injuries and chronic tendinopathies. The special issue of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology focuses on cutting-edge developments in tendinopathy research, with inflammation as a key unifying theme. The articles presented demonstrate exciting progress in understanding the role of inflammation and the potential of biomaterials to improve tendon repair. The studies suggest that specific scaffold architectures can be utilized to modulate stromal activation, and thus improve functional repair of tendon defects.

Practical Implications

Optimizing Immunomodulatory Therapies

Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing of immunomodulatory treatments for tendinopathies to achieve translational success.

Controlling TSPC Development

Modulating cell culture density can be used to favor TSPC development for targeted regenerative medicine therapies for tendon disorders.

Developing Biomaterial Scaffolds

Specific scaffold architectures can be designed to modulate stromal activation and improve functional repair of tendon defects.

Study Limitations

1
Optimal timing of immunomodulatory treatments is not yet known.
2
The heterogeneity of TSPC subpopulations requires further investigation.
3
Further research is needed to translate in vitro findings to clinical applications.

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