Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Engineering Tendon Assembloids to Probe Cellular Crosstalk in Disease and Repair
Published on: March 22, 2024
Neuropeptides regulate expression of matrix molecule, growth factor and inflammatory mediator mRNA in explants of
Paul Salo1, Robert Bray, Ruth Seerattan
1Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. salo@ucalgary.ca
Abstract:
Denervation degrades normal ligament properties and impairs ligament healing. This suggests that secreted neuromediators, such as neuropeptides, could be modulating cell metabolism in ligament and scar tissue. To test this hypothesis we investigated the effect of exogenous substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the mRNA levels for proteins associated with inflammation, angiogenesis, and matrix production in tissue-cultured specimens of normal and injured medial collateral ligament. SP and NPY induced increased mRNA levels for several inflammatory mediators in the 2-week post-injury specimens. All three neuropeptides induced decreases in mRNA levels for healing-associated growth factors and matrix molecules, including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and collagen types I and III. The results indicate that neuropeptides strongly influence the metabolic activity of cells in healing ligament, particularly at early time points after injury.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
A...
The Extracellular Matrix
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
The Extracellular Matrix
Extracellular Matrix
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

