Effect of mechanical stimulation on tissue heterotopic ossification: an in vivo experimental study

This study investigates how mechanical forces affect heterotopic ossification (HO), a condition where bone forms in tendons and ligaments. The researchers used mice with a genetic mutation that causes HO to study the effects of spinal immobilization and treadmill exercise on the development of HO in the spine and Achilles tendons. The mice were divided into three groups: a control group, a group that had their spines immobilized with a brace, and a group that underwent treadmill training. The degree of ossification in the spinal ligament and Achilles tendon was evaluated using micro-CT scanning and HE staining. The study found that spinal immobilization delayed spinal ligament ossification, while treadmill training enhanced it. Furthermore, they found that the protein YAP, which is involved in the response to mechanical stimulation, was more highly expressed in tissues with severe ossification.

• 1
  Spinal immobilization effectively restricts the flexion and extension of cervical and thoracic vertebrae in mice, delaying spinal ligament ossification and reducing chronic secondary spinal cord injury.
• 2
  Running exercises not only enhance the ossification area of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) and Achilles tendons but also exacerbate secondary spinal cord injury.
• 3
  YAP expression levels were notably increased in tissues with severe ossification, suggesting that these tissues may be subjected to higher mechanical stimulation.