Tendon healing in vivo and in vitro: neutralizing antibody to TGF-β improves range of motion after flexor tendon repair.
Adhesion formation between the flexor tendon and its surrounding fibro-osseous sheath results in a decreased postoperative range of motion (ROM) in the hand. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. In this study, the effects of TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody were investigated in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro investigation, primary cell cultures from rabbit flexor tendon sheath, epitenon, and endotenon were established and each was supplemented with TGF-β along with increasing doses of TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody. Collagen I production was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the in vivo study, rabbit zone-II flexor tendons were transected and then immediately repaired. Transforming growth factor-β1 neutralizing antibody or phosphate-buffered saline solution (control) was added to the repair sites, and the forepaws were tested for ROM and repair strength at 8 weeks postoperatively. Transforming growth factor-β1 neutralizing antibody reduced TGF-β upregulated collagen production. Intraoperative application of TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody significantly improved the ROM of the operatively treated digits. The effect on breaking strength of the tendon repair was inconclusive.
Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. xcs009@163.com
Changsuo
C
Xia
Xuanying
X
Yang
Ying-zhen
YZ
Wang
Kang
K
Sun
Lina
L
Ji
Shaoqi
S
Tian
D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D011817:Rabbits; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D024042:Collagen Type I; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta