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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Mechanobiology of Tendon Impingement – A Multiaxial Murine Hind Limb Explant Model
Published on: December 8, 2023
Profibrotic mediators in tendon disease: a systematic review
Wataru Morita1,2, Sarah Jane Bothwell Snelling3,4, Stephanie Georgina Dakin3,4
1Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK. wataru.morita@ndorms.ox.ac.uk.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) show altered expression in tendon disease. Further research is needed to understand their role in human tendon conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cell Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Tendon disease involves fibrosis, with TGF-β, BMPs, and CTGF as key fibrotic mediators.
- Understanding the role of these growth factors in tendon pathology is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence on the expression of TGF-β, BMPs, and CTGF during tendon disease progression.
- To investigate tendon cell responses to these growth factors in the context of disease.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of the Medline database using keywords related to tendon and the specified growth factors.
- Inclusion of studies on human samples and animal models of tendon injury/overuse.
Main Results:
- Dysregulated expression of TGF-β, BMPs, and CTGF was observed in human tendinopathy and tear tissues.
- Animal models showed temporal changes in growth factor expression, but patterns were inconsistent.
- Animal-derived tendon cells exhibited increased matrix gene expression and signaling responses to TGF-β and BMPs.
Conclusions:
- Growth factor expression is altered during tendon healing in animal models, but human disease progression remains unclear.
- TGF-β, BMPs, and CTGF likely play a role in tendon disease, but more studies on human samples are needed.
- Future research should focus on dynamic growth factor expression and cellular responses in human tendon disease stages.
