Nutrient deprivation of tendon-derived cells and its effect on collagen matrix integrity – mimicking graft remodelling after ACL reconstruction in vitro running title: cell starvation vs collagen integrity
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries, tendon grafts lose their mechanical integrity in vivo. Both auto- and allografts contain dead cells, and remaining viable cells are restricted temporarily from abundant nutrient access. To evaluate a possible connection, nutrient deprivation was hypothesized to reduce cell viability, compromising tissue mechanics as cells adopt a catabolic state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Subsequently, tendon-mimics were cultured at varying glucose and serum concentrations, ranging from complete medium (5 mM glucose, 2.5% serum), to mild deprivation (0.5 mM glucose, no serum), extreme deprivation (0 mM glucose, no serum), and a frozen control group (0 mM glucose, no serum). RESULTS: In the complete medium group, cell viability remained stable, improving tendon-mimic mechanics. Tendon cells were resilient to mild nutrient deprivation, maintaining viability. However, at extreme nutrient deprivation or tissue freezing, cell viability dropped significantly. Surprisingly, mechanical properties remained unaltered in all the groups, except the complete medium group. MMP8 secretion and activation confirmed a catabolic potential only in the complete medium group, while no further MMPs were secreted or activated in the nutrient-deprived groups. This suggests that viable cells that are exposed to a nutrient deprived environment likely lack the energy to exert contractile forces or produce/activate MMPs. CONCLUSIONS: model, highlighting the resilience of tenocytes in maintaining tissue structure.
Source: Connective Tissue Research
Institution: Eindhoven University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7128797022