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Updated: May 16, 2026
09:25
A Protocol to Acquire the Degenerative Tenocyte from Humans
Published on: June 9, 2018
Decorin expression is important for age-related changes in tendon structure and mechanical properties
Andrew A Dunkman1, Mark R Buckley, Michael J Mienaltowski
1The McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, 424 Stemmler Hall, 3450 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. adunkman@sas.upenn.edu
Matrix Biology : Journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology
|November 27, 2012
Summary
Aging tendons show reduced function and altered structure. Lack of decorin protein significantly reduces these age-related changes, suggesting its role in tendon aging.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Musculoskeletal Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- The aging population faces increased risk of tendon injuries and tendinopathy.
- Understanding age-related molecular changes in tendons is vital for addressing this vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate structural and functional changes in aging tendons.
- Analyze the roles of decorin and biglycan in tendon aging using transgenic mice.
Main Methods:
- Biomechanical analysis of mature and aged patellar tendons.
- Histology, polarized light microscopy, and ultrastructural analysis of tendon tissues.
- Assessment of decorin and biglycan expression in aged wild-type and knockout mouse models.
Main Results:
- Aged tendons exhibited deteriorating viscoelastic properties, decreased cellularity, altered tenocyte shape, and reduced collagen fiber alignment.
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed an increase in large diameter collagen fibrils in aged tendons.
- Decorin-null aged tendons showed significantly attenuated age-related functional deficits and altered fibril structure compared to wild-type.
Conclusions:
- Tendon aging is characterized by significant alterations in architecture and function.
- The absence of decorin ameliorates age-dependent functional decline and structural changes in tendons.
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