title: The past, present and future in scaffold-based tendon treatments.
abstract: Tendon injuries represent a significant clinical burden on healthcare systems worldwide. As the human population ages and the life expectancy increases, tendon injuries will become more prevalent, especially among young individuals with long life ahead of them. Advancements in engineering, chemistry and biology have made available an array of three-dimensional scaffold-based intervention strategies, natural or synthetic in origin. Further, functionalisation strategies, based on biophysical, biochemical and biological cues, offer control over cellular functions; localisation and sustained release of therapeutics/biologics; and the ability to positively interact with the host to promote repair and regeneration. Herein, we critically discuss current therapies and emerging technologies that aim to transform tendon treatments in the years to come.
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lomas
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: C N M
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sorushanova
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shologu
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Sideri
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.
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authors.lastname: Tsioli
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fthenakis
authors.affiliation: Animal Production Division, Department of Agriculture Technology, TEI of Epirus, Arta, Greece.
authors.forename: A
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authors.lastname: Tzora
authors.affiliation: Animal Production Division, Department of Agriculture Technology, TEI of Epirus, Arta, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skoufos
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, NUI Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering and Informatics, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Laighin
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Research Centre, Ashtown, Ireland.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Department of Surgery, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; University College Hospitals Galway (UCHG), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kearns
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandit
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: dimitrios.zeugolis@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Zeugolis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000639:trends*
keywords: Biomaterials; Human and equine tendon injury; Sustained and localised delivery of therapeutics/biologics; Tendon cellular and extracellular composition; Tendon healing; Tissue grafts