title: Tenogenic induction of equine mesenchymal stem cells by means of growth factors and low-level laser technology.
abstract: Tendons regenerate poorly due to a dense extracellular matrix and low cellularity. Cellular therapies aim to improve tendon repair using mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes; however, a current limitation is the low proliferative potential of tenocytes in cases of severe trauma. The purpose of this study was to develop a method useful in veterinary medicine to improve the differentiation of Peripheral Blood equine mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs) into tenocytes. PB-MSCs were used to study the effects of the addition of some growth factors (GFs) as TGFβ3 (transforming growth factor), EGF2 (Epidermal growth factor), bFGF2 (Fibroblast growth factor) and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) in presence or without Low Level Laser Technology (LLLT) on the mRNA expression levels of genes important in the tenogenic induction as Early Growth Response Protein-1 (EGR1), Tenascin (TNC) and Decorin (DCN). The singular addition of GFs did not show any influence on the mRNA expression of tenogenic genes whereas the specific combinations that arrested cell proliferation in favour of differentiation were the following: bFGF2 + TGFβ3 and bFGF2 + TGFβ3 + LLLT. Indeed, the supplement of bFGF2 and TGFβ3 significantly upregulated the expression of Early Growth Response Protein-1 and Decorin, while the use of LLLT induced a significant increase of Tenascin C levels. In conclusion, the present study might furnish significant suggestions for developing an efficient approach for tenocyte induction since the external administration of bFGF2 and TGFβ3, along with LLLT, influences the differentiation of PB-MSCs towards the tenogenic fate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomiero
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertolutti
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martinello
authors.affiliation: Global Stem Cell Technology-ANACURA Group, Noorwegenstraat 4, 9940, Evergem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Bruaene
authors.affiliation: Global Stem Cell Technology-ANACURA Group, Noorwegenstraat 4, 9940, Evergem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sarah Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Broeckx
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020, Padova, Italy. marco.pat@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patruno
authors.affiliation: Global Stem Cell Technology-ANACURA Group, Noorwegenstraat 4, 9940, Evergem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Spaas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D058575:Decorin / Q000235:genetics; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006736:Horses; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D058575:Decorin; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
keywords: Growth factors; Low level laser technology; Mesenchymal stromal cells; Tenocytes; Tenogenic induction