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Exploring Stem Cells and Inflammation in Tendon Repair and Regeneration

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Cell Biology and Translational Medicine, Volume 2

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((CBTMED,volume 1089))

Abstract

Tendon injuries are frequent and are responsible for substantial morbidity both in sports and in the workplace. Despite the endogenous mechanisms of tendon repair and regeneration, tendon healing upon injury is slow and often insufficient to restore complete biomechanics functionality.

Inflammation has a pivotal role in tendon healing and failed healing responses contribute to the progression of tendinopathies. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved are poorly understood requiring further insights.

During inflammation, bioactive molecules such as cytokines secreted locally at the injury site, influence resident stem cells that contribute as modulatory agents over the niche towards homeostasis, holding great promise as therapeutic agents for tendon pathological conditions associated to unresolved inflammation and failed healing.

This review overviews the role of cytokines and resident cells, focusing on the participation of tendon stem cell population in inflammation and tendon healing upon injury and their potential action in resolution of pathological conditions.

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Abbreviations

CTGF:

connective tissue growth factor

ECM:

extracelular matrix

MMPs:

matrix metalloproteinases

MSCs:

mesenchymal stem/stromal cell

NO:

nitric oxide

STAT3:

activator of transcription 3

TDSCs:

tendon-derived stem cells

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for the doctoral grant PD/BD/128089/2016, the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000021 supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) and HORIZON 2020 under the TEAMING GRANT agreement No 739572 – The Discoveries CTR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal

    A. Vinhas, M. T. Rodrigues & M. E. Gomes

  2. ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    A. Vinhas, M. T. Rodrigues & M. E. Gomes

  3. The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    A. Vinhas, M. T. Rodrigues & M. E. Gomes

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  1. A. Vinhas
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  2. M. T. Rodrigues
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  3. M. E. Gomes
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Correspondence to M. E. Gomes .

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  1. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Osgoode, ON, Canada

    Kursad Turksen

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Vinhas, A., Rodrigues, M.T., Gomes, M.E. (2018). Exploring Stem Cells and Inflammation in Tendon Repair and Regeneration. In: Turksen, K. (eds) Cell Biology and Translational Medicine, Volume 2. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 1089. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2018_258

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