title: Differences in morphology, cytoskeletal architecture and protease production between zone II tendon and synovial fibroblasts in vitro.
abstract: Fibroblast migration is an integral component of the processes resulting in the formation of restrictive adhesions in the injured tendon, especially in Zone II. Pre-requisites for cell migration are an intact cytoskeleton and an ability to biochemically degrade the extra-cellular matrix. The relative characteristics of fibroblasts from the fibro-osseus sheath (SC), the tissue surrounding the tendon in Zone II, and the endotenon (TC) with respect to morphology, cytoskeletal structure and ability to produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 were compared in vitro. It was found that SCs were larger in size and demonstrated greater amounts of intra-cellular alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and intra-membranous vinculin. Filamentous actin (F-actin) fibres in SCs were more densely packed and concentrated, resulting in stress fibres. The SCs also produce greater amounts of MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared to TCs. These observations imply that SCs play an active role in adhesion formation and should be specifically targeted to inhibit or treat tendon adhesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Phoenix Tissue Repair Unit, 1st Floor Charles' Bell House, 67-73 Riding House Street, London W1N 8AA, UK. pragoowans@aol.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ragoowansi
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: McGrouther
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D022502:Stress Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016596:Vinculin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D016596:Vinculin; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9