Mechanobiology of young and aging tendons: In vivo studies with treadmill running

Tendons are unique in the sense that they are constantly subjected to large mechanical loads and that they contain tendon-specific cells, including tenocytes and tendon stem/progenitor cells. The responses of these cells to mechanical loads can be anabolic or catabolic and as a result, change the biological properties of the tendon itself that may be beneficial or detrimental. On the other hand, aging also induces aberrant changes in cellular expression of various genes and production of various types of matrix proteins in the tendon, and consequently lead to tendon degeneration and impaired healing in aging tendons; both could be improved by moderate physiological mechanical loading such as treadmill running. This article gives an overview on the mechanobiology research of young and aging animal tendons using treadmill running model. The challenges in such treadmill running studies are also discussed. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:557-565, 2018.