Dynamic changes of molecular pattern and cellular subpopulation in puncture-induced tendon injury model

Zizhan Huang ^1,2,3,4,5, Ziyang Li ^1,2,3,4,5, Dengfeng Ruan ^1,2,3,4,5,6

¹Department of Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
²Institute of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
³Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
⁴Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Precision Research and Therapy, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
⁵Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Hangzhou City, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
⁶China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, China.
⁷Department of Orthopedics, National Center for Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
⁸Dr. Li Dak Sum-Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
⁹Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou City, P.R. China.
¹⁰State Key Laboratory of Transvascular Implantation Devices, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.

⁰Department of Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.

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April 15, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Investigating early tendon repair, this study used a novel injury model to identify key molecular patterns and cellular players. Findings reveal insights into the complex cellular dynamics of tendon healing, crucial for treating tendinopathy.

Area Of Science

Biomedical research
Molecular biology
Cellular biology

Background

Tendon injuries cause pain and functional loss, often leading to chronic tendinopathy.
Early molecular mechanisms of tendon repair are not well understood.
Clinical samples for early tendon injury are scarce, hindering research.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate molecular patterns and cellular subpopulations in early tendon injury.
To understand the dynamics of tendon healing using a controlled injury model.
To provide foundational knowledge for future tendinopathy treatments.

Main Methods

Established a puncture-induced tendon injury model in a preclinical setting.
Utilized RNA sequencing to identify gene expression profiles in early injury.
Employed single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize cellular subpopulations.

Main Results

Identified seven distinct gene sets with unique expression patterns during early tendon injury.
Discovered eight myeloid and seven mesenchymal cell types involved in the repair process.
Characterized the molecular and cellular landscape of early tendon healing.

Conclusions

The study elucidates the molecular and cellular dynamics of early tendon repair.
Findings offer critical insights into the complex biological processes of tendon healing.
This research could guide the development of novel clinical strategies for tendinopathy.

Keywords:

Cellular physiology Orthopedics