Dynamic Loading and Tendon Healing Affect Multiscale Tendon Properties and ECM Stress Transmission.

ABSTRACT: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the primary biomechanical environment that interacts with tendon cells (tenocytes). Stresses applied via muscle contraction during skeletal movement transfer across structural hierarchies to the tenocyte nucleus in native uninjured tendons. Alterations to ECM structural and mechanical properties due to mechanical loading and tissue healing may affect this multiscale strain transfer and stress transmission through the ECM. This study explores the interface between dynamic loading and tendon healing across multiple length scales using living tendon explants. Results show that macroscale mechanical and structural properties are inferior following high magnitude dynamic loading (fatigue) in uninjured living tendon and that these effects propagate to the micros

SUBMITTER: Freedman BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6052000 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature