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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Research by Developing Mouse Assembloids to Understand Cellular Mechanisms
Published on: March 22, 2024
Therapeutic potential of microRNA in tendon injuries
Lorenzo Giordano1, Giovanna Della Porta2, Giuseppe M Peretti3,4
1Department of Musculoskeletal Disorder, Faculty of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via San Leonardo 1, 84131 Salerno, Italy.
Introduction:
The regulatory role of microRNA (miRNA) in several conditions has been studied, but their function in tendon healing remains elusive. This review summarizes how miRNAs are related to the pathogenesis of tendon injuries and highlights their clinical potential, focusing on the issues related to their delivery for clinical purposes.
Sources Of Data:
We searched multiple databases to perform a systematic review on miRNA in relation to tendon injuries. We included in the present work a total of 15 articles.
Areas Of Agreement:
The mechanism of repair of tendon injuries is probably mediated by resident tenocytes. These maintain a fine equilibrium between anabolic and catabolic events of the extracellular matrix. Specific miRNAs regulate cytokine expression and orchestrate proliferation and differentiation of stromal cell lines involved in the composition of the extracellular matrix.
Areas Of Controversy:
The lack of effective delivery systems poses serious obstacles to the clinical translation of these basic science findings.
Growing Point:
In vivo studies should be planned to better explore the relationship between miRNA and tendon injuries and evaluate the most suitable delivery system for these molecules.
Areas Timely For Developing Research:
Investigations ex vivo suggest therapeutic opportunities of miRNA for the management of tendon injuries. Given the poor pharmacokinetic properties of miRNAs, these must be delivered by an adequate adjuvant transport system.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show potential in tendon healing by regulating extracellular matrix repair. However, effective delivery systems are crucial for their clinical application in treating tendon injuries.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Molecular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- MicroRNA (miRNA) regulatory roles are known in various conditions, but their specific function in tendon healing is not well-understood.
- Tendon injuries involve complex extracellular matrix remodeling regulated by resident tenocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between miRNAs and the pathogenesis of tendon injuries.
- To highlight the clinical potential of miRNAs in tendon healing.
- To address challenges in miRNA delivery for therapeutic purposes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature.
- Analysis of 15 selected articles on miRNA and tendon injuries.
Main Results:
- Specific miRNAs regulate cytokine expression, influencing tenocyte proliferation and differentiation.
- miRNAs play a role in orchestrating the balance of anabolic and catabolic events in the extracellular matrix during tendon repair.
Conclusions:
- Ex vivo investigations indicate therapeutic potential for miRNAs in managing tendon injuries.
- Effective delivery systems are essential to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations and enable clinical translation of miRNA-based therapies for tendon healing.
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