Conversion of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into tendon progenitor cells by ectopic expression of scleraxis.

ABSTRACT: Tendons and ligaments (T/L) are dense connective tissues of mesodermal origin. During embryonic development, the tendon-specific cells descend from a sub-set of mesenchymal progenitors condensed in the syndetome, a dorsolateral domain of the sclerotome. These cells are defined by the expression of the transcription factor scleraxis (Scx), which regulates tendon formation and several other characteristic genes, such as collagen type I, decorin, fibromodulin, and tenomodulin (Tnmd). In contrast to other mesenchymal progenitors, the genealogy and biology of the tenogenic lineage is not yet fully understood due to the lack of simple and efficient protocols enabling generation of progenitors in vitro. Here, we investigated whether the expression of Scx can lead to the direct commitment of mesen

SUBMITTER: Alberton P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3315756 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature