The role of tendon derived stem/progenitor cells and extracellular matrix components in the bone tendon junction repair

• Published in: Bone (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 153; p. 116172
• Main Authors: Shengnan, Qin, Bennett, Samuel, Wen, Wang, Aiguo, Li, Jiake, Xu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-12-2021
• Subjects: Bone tendon junction; Extracellular matrix; Tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells; Tissue engineering; Extracellular matrix; Bone tendon junction; Tissue engineering; Tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells
• ISSN: 8756-3282; 1873-2763
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116172

Fibrocartilage enthesis is the junction between bone and tendon with a typical characteristics of fibrocartilage transition zones. The regeneration of this transition zone is the bottleneck for functional restoration of bone tendon junction (BTJ). Biomimetic approaches, especially decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) materials, are strategies which aim to mimic the components of tissues to the utmost extent, and are becoming popular in BTJ healing because of their ability not only to provide scaffolds to allow cells to attach and migrate, but also to provide a microenvironment to guide stem/progenitor cells lineage-specific differentiation. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of those approaches, especially the ECM proteins, remain unclear. For BTJ reconstruction, fibrocartilage regeneration is the key for good integrity of bone and tendon as well as its mechanical recovery, so the components which can guide stem cells to a chondrogenic commitment in biomimetic approaches might well be the key for fibrocartilage regeneration and eventually for the better BTJ healing. In this review, we firstly discuss the importance of cartilage-like formation in the healing process of BTJ. Next, we explore the possibility of tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells as cell sources for BTJ regeneration due to their multi-differentiation potential. Finally, we summarize the role of extracellular matrix components of BTJ in guiding stem cell fate to a chondrogenic commitment, so as to provide cues for understanding the mechanisms of lineage-specific potential of biomimetic approaches as well as to inspire researchers to incorporate unique ECM components that facilitate BTJ repair into design.
•The regeneration of the fibrocartilage zone is the bottleneck for functional restoration of bone tendon junction.•Biomimetic approaches are becoming popular but the intricate cellular and molecular events involved may be neglected.•New cartilage formation or chondrogenesis is a key step for biomimetic approaches to restore BTJ’s functions.•TPSCs show potential in the healing process of BTJ due to their excellent multi-differentiation potentials.•ECM proteins at BTJ might play a crucial role in directing stem cell fate towards chondrocytes.