title: In vitro functional response of human tendon cells to different dosages of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic tendinopathy is a degenerative process causing pain and disability. Current treatments include biophysical therapies, such as pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF). The aim of this study was to compare, for the first time, the functional in vitro response of human tendon cells to different dosages of PEMF, varying in field intensity and duration and number of exposures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tendon cells, isolated from human semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (hTCs; n = 6), were exposed to different PEMF treatments (1.5 or 3 mT for 8 or 12 h, single or repeated treatments). Scleraxis (SCX), COL1A1, COL3A1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression and cytokine production were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the different dosages provoked apoptotic events. Proliferation of hTCs was enhanced by all treatments, whereas only 3 mT-PEMF treatment increased cell viability. However, the single 1.5 mT-PEMF treatment elicited the highest up-regulation of SCX, VEGF-A and COL1A1 expression, and it significantly reduced COL3A1 expression with respect to untreated cells. The treated hTCs showed a significantly higher release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β. Interestingly, the repeated 1.5 mT-PEMF significantly further increased IL-10 production.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1.5 mT-PEMF treatment was able to give the best results in in vitro healthy human tendon cell culture. Although the clinical relevance is not direct, this investigation should be considered an attempt to clarify the effect of different PEMF protocols on tendon cells, in particular focusing on the potential applicability of this cell source for regenerative medicine purpose, both in surgical and in conservative treatment for tendon disorders.
authors: Orthopaedic Biotechnology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi, 4, 20161, Milan, Italy. laura.degirolamo@grupposandonato.it.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: de Girolamo
authors: Orthopaedic Biotechnology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi, 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Viganò
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche ed Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.|IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Galliera
authors: Orthopaedic Biotechnology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi, 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Stanco
authors: IGEA SpA, Clinical Biophysics, Carpi, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Setti
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Marazzi
authors: Sport Traumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Thiebat
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.|IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Corsi Romanelli
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.|Orthopaedic Department, Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Sansone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D024042:Collagen Type I; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D024061:Collagen Type III; D007378:Interleukins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C439971:COL3A1 protein, human; C093504:SCX protein, human; C467484:VEGFA protein, human
keywords: Anti-inflammatory action; Human tendon cells; PEMF dosage; Pulsed electromagnetic field; Tendon markers