Epitenon-derived progenitors drive fibrosis and regeneration after flexor tendon injury in a spatially-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT: Flexor tendon injuries are common and heal poorly owing to both the deposition of function-limiting peritendinous scar tissue and insufficient healing of the tendon itself. Therapeutic options are limited due to a lack of understanding of the cell populations that contribute to these processes. Here, we identified the epitenon as a major source of cells that contribute to both peritendinous fibrosis and regenerative tendon healing following acute tendon injury. Using a combination of genetic lineage tracing and single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we profiled the behavior and contributions of each cell fate to the healing process in a spatio-temporal manner. Integrated scRNA-seq analysis of mouse healing with human peritendinous scar tissue revealed remarkable transcriptional similarity

SUBMITTER: Nichols AEC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12219553 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature