Bone morphogenetic protein 13 stimulates cell proliferation and production of collagen in human patellar tendon fibroblasts.
BACKGROUND
Recombinant human (rh) bone morphogenetic protein 13 (BMP13) has been shown to induce the formation of tendon and ligament tissues in animal experiments. The role of BMP13 in tissue regeneration in human tendons remains unexplored, however.


METHODS
We collected healthy human patellar tendon samples for histological examination and tendon fibroblast culture. The cultured cells were incubated in the presence and absence of rhBMP13 and the effect of the protein on cell proliferation was measured using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine uptake.


RESULTS
BMP13 was detectable by immunohistochemical staining in healthy patellar tendon samples, and was located exclusively in active tenoblasts and perivascular mesenchymal cells but not in interstitial tenocytes. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and pro-collagen type I showed a similar distribution. In vitro studies showed that rhBMP13 can increase proliferation of tendon fibroblasts and increase the gene expression of pro-collagen type I in tendon fibroblast culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that BMP13 may be involved in the matrix remodeling process in adult tendon, and that it may play a role in tissue regeneration in tendons.
Wong
Yim P
YP
Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Fu
Sai C
SC
Cheuk
Yau C
YC
Lee
Kwong M
KM
Wong
Margaret W N
MW
Chan
Kai M
KM
D000328:Adult; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010329:Patella / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D024042:Collagen Type I; D011347:Procollagen