Endogenous tenocyte activation underlies the regenerative capacity of the adult zebrafish tendon.

ABSTRACT: Tendons are essential, frequently injured connective tissues that transmit forces from muscle to bone. Their unique highly ordered, matrix-rich structure is critical for proper function. While adult mammalian tendons heal after acute injuries, endogenous tendon cells, or tenocytes, fail to respond appropriately, resulting in the formation of disorganized fibrovascular scar tissue with impaired function and increased propensity for re-injury. Here, we show that, unlike mammals, adult zebrafish tenocytes activate upon injury and fully regenerate the tendon. Using a full tear injury model in the adult zebrafish craniofacial tendon, we defined the hallmark stages and cellular basis of tendon regeneration through multiphoton imaging, lineage tracing, and transmission electron microscopy approac

SUBMITTER: Tsai SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10509205 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature