Collagen type I and decorin expression in tenocytes depend on the cell isolation method

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Rotator cuff tear treatment remains challenging, with tendon tissue engineering (TTE) offering a potential future solution.
• Tenocytes are ideal for TTE due to ease of acquisition and lack of need for in vitro differentiation.
• The long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) is explored as a source for viable tenocytes for TTE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) as a source of viable tenocytes for tendon tissue engineering (TTE).
• To compare enzymatic digestion (ED) and cell migration (CM) isolation methods regarding gene expression and cell morphology.
• To determine the suitability of LHB-derived tenocytes for clinical applications in TTE.

Main Methods:

• LHB samples were obtained from patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
• Tenocytes were isolated using enzymatic digestion (ED) with collagenase I and cell migration (CM) via minced tendon culture.
• Gene expression analysis (RT-PCR) for collagen type I, collagen type III, decorin, tenascin-C, fibronectin, Scleraxis, tenomodulin, osteopontin, and aggrecan was performed.

Main Results:

• Enzymatic digestion (ED) yielded 14 times more cells per gram of tissue compared to cell migration (CM).
• Cell isolation time was significantly shorter with ED (17 hours) versus CM (approximately 50 days).
• Higher collagen type I expression was observed with ED, while decorin expression was higher with CM; dedifferentiation potential was similar for both methods.

Conclusions:

• Tenocyte-like cells (TLCC) can be successfully obtained from the LHB using both ED and CM isolation methods.
• Enzymatic digestion (ED) is more suitable for clinical use due to higher cell yield and shorter isolation time.
• Both isolation methods require further optimization for improved clinical applicability in tendon tissue engineering.