The execution of movements is only made possible by tendons. However, tendons are often affected by injuries or previous diseases, resulting in serious long-lasting consequences. Due to their highly complex tissue design, hierarchical structure of extracellular matrix (ECM), hypocellularity, and hypovascularity, the repair capacity is very low with a high risk of recurrent rupture. The mechanosensitive tenocytes are responsible for the synthesis of ECM components, a process that is very dependent on the local loading environment. Cellular mechanosensors such as integrins, focal adhesion kinase, ion channels, and other transmembrane receptors are activated by cyclic stretch and trigger complex intercellular molecular cascade which in turn can affect the repair process of tendon tissue.
Tissue Engineering (TE) is a promising approach, which strives to restore function by combining cells with scaffolds composed of natural and/or synthetic materials. The effect of mechanical loading is important for the tendon embryonic development as well as for the maintenance of tendon homeostasis. However, there are still open questions concerning mechanical stimulation protocols for engineered tendons. Matrix structure and rigidity are crucial in regulating physiological and pathological cell functions, but the optimal parameters are still underinvestigated. Gaining insights into the biomechanical mechanisms involved in the communication between tenocytes and their microenvironment to develop TE approaches is one of the main goals of this Research Topic.
This Research Topic will explore the most recent findings, advances, and prospects in all aspects of the maintenance of tendon homeostasis or steering tenogenesis by mechanical stimulation. We encourage the submission of original research and review articles focused on the tendon-specific effect of mechanical loading. Answers should be given to questions, about how matrix stiffness influences tenocytes, their differentiation, matrix synthesis, and tissue homeostasis. We especially welcome discoveries related to mechanotransduction and cell behavior in three-dimensional scaffolds for tendon TE approaches. Understanding the interplay between tenocytes and their microenvironment during mechanical stimulation will give us important insights into the molecular mechanisms of tendon-specific proliferation, migration, differentiation, and matrix synthesis.
• Stretch protocols to achieve specific tendon matrix synthesis
• Tenogenesis in scaffolds
• Bioreactors for tendon TE
• Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways
Keywords:
mechanostimulation, tendinogenesis, cyclic stretch, tendon tissue engineering, matrix expression, scaffolds
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The execution of movements is only made possible by tendons. However, tendons are often affected by injuries or previous diseases, resulting in serious long-lasting consequences. Due to their highly complex tissue design, hierarchical structure of extracellular matrix (ECM), hypocellularity, and hypovascularity, the repair capacity is very low with a high risk of recurrent rupture. The mechanosensitive tenocytes are responsible for the synthesis of ECM components, a process that is very dependent on the local loading environment. Cellular mechanosensors such as integrins, focal adhesion kinase, ion channels, and other transmembrane receptors are activated by cyclic stretch and trigger complex intercellular molecular cascade which in turn can affect the repair process of tendon tissue.
Tissue Engineering (TE) is a promising approach, which strives to restore function by combining cells with scaffolds composed of natural and/or synthetic materials. The effect of mechanical loading is important for the tendon embryonic development as well as for the maintenance of tendon homeostasis. However, there are still open questions concerning mechanical stimulation protocols for engineered tendons. Matrix structure and rigidity are crucial in regulating physiological and pathological cell functions, but the optimal parameters are still underinvestigated. Gaining insights into the biomechanical mechanisms involved in the communication between tenocytes and their microenvironment to develop TE approaches is one of the main goals of this Research Topic.
This Research Topic will explore the most recent findings, advances, and prospects in all aspects of the maintenance of tendon homeostasis or steering tenogenesis by mechanical stimulation. We encourage the submission of original research and review articles focused on the tendon-specific effect of mechanical loading. Answers should be given to questions, about how matrix stiffness influences tenocytes, their differentiation, matrix synthesis, and tissue homeostasis. We especially welcome discoveries related to mechanotransduction and cell behavior in three-dimensional scaffolds for tendon TE approaches. Understanding the interplay between tenocytes and their microenvironment during mechanical stimulation will give us important insights into the molecular mechanisms of tendon-specific proliferation, migration, differentiation, and matrix synthesis.
• Stretch protocols to achieve specific tendon matrix synthesis
• Tenogenesis in scaffolds
• Bioreactors for tendon TE
• Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways
Keywords:
mechanostimulation, tendinogenesis, cyclic stretch, tendon tissue engineering, matrix expression, scaffolds
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.