Mitochondria dysfunction and increased expression of WNT5A and BNIP3 in tenocytes obtained from patients with tendinopathy
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Tendinopathy is a significant source of pain and functional impairment, with contributions from various extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Prior studies have demonstrated the role of mitochondria (MT) dysfunction in a murine model of supraspinatus tendinopathy, with improvement in tendon structure following treatment with the mitochondrial protectant agent Szeto-Schiller-31 (elamipretide). However, there is very little information available on mitochondrial function in human tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to compare MT function in human tenocytes obtained from pathologic tendons of patients with tendinopathy and normal tendons and to identify potential target genes for the treatment of tendinopathy. Methods: Samples of degenerative tendons from the upper extremity (biceps tendon [n = 7], rotator cuff [n = 4], and extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon [n = 2]; total n = 13) and normal tendons from the lower extremity (hamstring [n = 4], patellar [n = 3], and quadriceps [n = 2]; total n = 9) were collected during surgeries. Cell viability, ultrastructural morphology (using transmission electron microscopy), differentiation potential (adipogenesis and osteogenesis), MT membrane polarity, production of reactive oxygen species, and gene expression profile (using NanoString and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR)) were analyzed. Results: = .0027, log2FC = 2.2). WNT5A and BNIP3 upregulation was also confirmed by qRT-PCR. Conclusion: Our results confirm MT dysfunction in the degenerative group, as reported in previous studies. The upregulation of the WNT5A and BNIP3 expression was confirmed by both Nanostring and qRT-PCR.
Source: JSES International
Authors: Yusuke Nakagawa, Yuki Okazaki, Camila B. Carballo, Susumu Wada, Daniel Nemirov, Elizabeth R. Selvaggio, Amir H. Lebaschi, Xiang-Hua Deng, Miguel Otero, Michelle L. Delco, Lisa A. Fortier, Scott A. Rodeo
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,250
OpenAlex ID: W7108228709