Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived iTenocytes via Combined Scleraxis Overexpression and 2D Uniaxial Tension
04:48

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived iTenocytes via Combined Scleraxis Overexpression and 2D Uniaxial Tension

Published on: March 1, 2024

Interleukins 4 and 13 modulate gene expression and promote proliferation of primary human tenocytes

Jean-Paul Courneya1, Irina G Luzina, Cynthia B Zeller

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA. satamas@umaryland.edu.

Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair
|June 12, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-13 (IL-13) stimulate tendon fibroblast (tenocyte) proliferation, offering potential for tendon repair and tissue engineering. This research explores their role in enhancing cell growth for therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Tendon disorders (tendinopathies) present significant biomedical and socioeconomic challenges.
  • Current treatments for tendinopathies lack consistent outcomes, and surgery is a last resort.
  • The response of tendon fibroblasts (tenocytes) to interleukins (ILs), specifically IL-4 and IL-13, is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the responsiveness of tenocytes to IL-4 and IL-13 stimulation.
  • To explore the potential of IL-4 and IL-13 in facilitating tendon repair and tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

  • Primary tenocytes were isolated from human tendon tissue samples.
  • Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to analyze gene expression for IL-4 and IL-13 receptors.
  • Cell proliferation assays were performed after stimulation with recombinant human IL-4 or IL-13.

Main Results:

  • Tenocytes express mRNAs for IL-4Ralpha, IL-13Ralpha1, and IL-13Ralpha2 receptors.
  • IL-4 and IL-13 stimulation significantly increased tenocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (1.5–2.0-fold).
  • IL-4 and IL-13 had minimal impact on collagen mRNA or protein levels, but altered expression of cell cycle-related genes.

Conclusions:

  • IL-4 and IL-13 can stimulate tenocyte proliferation.
  • These cytokines hold promise for enhancing tendon repair in vivo and aiding tenocyte growth in tendon tissue engineering applications.

More Related Videos

A Protocol to Acquire the Degenerative Tenocyte from Humans09:25

A Protocol to Acquire the Degenerative Tenocyte from Humans

Published on: June 9, 2018

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue06:59

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue

Published on: October 12, 2013

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Inflammatory Response01:28

Inflammatory Response

An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming01:29

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for this...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...