[Experimental study of intrinsic healing of the flexor tendon: collagen synthesis of the cultured flexor tendon cells of the canine].
The roles of the tendon cells, such as epitenon cells and tenocytes, through the reparative process of the flexor tendon are controversial. This study was performed to investigate the collagen synthesis of cultured tendon cells derived from the sheathed flexor tendons of the canine under electron microscopy using "Floating Sheet" method introduced by Arnold, J. R., et al (1983). Morphologically epitenon cells gave an appearance of large and oval fibroblasts, while tenocytes were small, spindle shaped fibroblasts. Electron microscopy revealed large amount of collagen and non-collagen fibers in the intercellular spaces of both cell populations. The collagen fibers produced by tenocyte populations were 200 A to 400 A in thickness, whereas those of the cultured epitenon cells ranged from 150 A to 300 A. These results indicated that tenocytes secreted larger and more matured collagen fibers than epitenon cells. Promotion of collagen synthesis by the tenocytes in the early stage of the flexor tendon repair was thought to be more favorable for its quality of the healing process.
Fujita
M
M
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan.
Hukuda
S
S
Doida
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004285:Dogs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D003094:Collagen