Engineered decellularized tendon hydrogel with sustained zinc ion release orchestrates anti-inflammatory microenvironment and functional regeneration in Achilles tendinopathy.

ABSTRACT: Achilles tendinopathy (AT), a prevalent degenerative tendon pathology characterized by dysregulated inflammatory pathways and compromised tissue healing capacity, necessitates the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting molecular mechanisms of tendon repair. This study developed a zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs)-integrated decellularized Achilles tendon extracellular matrix (DAT) hydrogel (Z-D) for minimally invasive AT treatment. The composite hydrogel exhibits thermosensitivity and enhanced mechanical stability through Zn²⁺-mediated crosslinking. In vitro biocompatibility assessments revealed that 0.25 % Z-D significantly promoted the proliferation capacity of Tendon-Derived Stem Cells (TDSCs), while simultaneously suppressing the expression of key pro-i

SUBMITTER: Gao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12308006 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature