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MFG‐E8 regulates inflammation and apoptosis in tendon healing, and promotes tendon repair: A histological and biochemical evaluation
Author(s) -
Shi Zhengzhou,
Zhang Youbo,
Wang Qi,
Jiang Dapeng
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.2143
Subject(s) - tendon , wound healing , apoptosis , fibrin , inflammation , histopathology , medicine , regeneration (biology) , fibrin glue , pathology , andrology , biology , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , biochemistry
Several studies have identified potential roles for MFG‐E8 in promoting tissue repair. However, the effects of MFG‐E8 on tendon repair have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we explored the role of MFG‐E8 on tendon repair using a rat model of patellar tendon injury. The patellar tendons of Sprague Dawley rats ( n = 24/group) received window defects and, after modeling, three groups were randomly assigned: (a) recombinant MFG‐E8 (rMFG‐E8) group, implantation with MFG‐E8 and fibrin glue (400 ng in 10 μl); (b) fibrin group, implantation with fibrin only; and (c) control group, without any treatment. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analyses were performed at 2 and 4 weeks after healing. Administration of rMFG‐E8 in injury sites significantly improved tendon healing histologically at 4 weeks after injury. In addition, numbers of M1 macrophages and M1‐stimulator genes, including IFNG , Il‐1B , and Il‐6 , were reduced in the repair sites at 2 weeks by rMFG‐E8 administration. In parallel, rMFG‐E8 significantly increased the number of M2 macrophages and expression of anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 and IL‐4 at 2 weeks after injury. Treatment with rMFG‐E8 markedly decreased tendon cell apoptosis. Moreover, rMFG‐E8 significantly enhanced the expression of genes related to tendon matrix formation at 2 weeks after injury, including Col1a1 and tenascin‐C. We conclude that MFG‐E8 could regulate inflammatory responses and apoptotic cell accumulation in tendon repair, and promote the healing process of injured tendon tissue. Thus, exogenous application of MFG‐E8 might have therapeutic potential for repair of tendon injuries.