A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing
Abstract Background Tendon-to-bone healing is a critical challenge in sports medicine, with its cellular and molecular mechanisms yet to be explored. An efficient murine model could significantly advance our understanding of this process. However, most existing murine animal models face limitations,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-04496-9 |
| _version_ | 1827329117529309184 |
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| author | Baoyun Xu Yunjiao Wang Gang He Kang-lai Tang Lin Guo Wan Chen |
| author_facet | Baoyun Xu Yunjiao Wang Gang He Kang-lai Tang Lin Guo Wan Chen |
| author_sort | Baoyun Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Tendon-to-bone healing is a critical challenge in sports medicine, with its cellular and molecular mechanisms yet to be explored. An efficient murine model could significantly advance our understanding of this process. However, most existing murine animal models face limitations, including a propensity for bleeding, restricted operational space, and a steep learning curve. Thus, the need for a novel and efficient murine animal model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tendon-to-bone healing is becoming increasingly evident. Methods In our study, forty-four 9-week-old male C57/BL6 mice underwent transection and reattachment of the Achilles tendon insertion to investigate tendon-to-bone healing. At 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively, mice were killed for histological, Micro-CT, biomechanical, and real-time polymerase chain reaction tests. Results Histological staining revealed that the original tissue structure was disrupted and replaced by a fibrovascular scar. Although glycosaminoglycan deposition was present in the cartilage area, the native structure had been destroyed. Biomechanical tests showed that the failure force constituted approximately 44.2% and 77.5% of that in intact tissues, and the ultimate tensile strength increased from 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Micro-CT imaging demonstrated a gradual healing process in the bone tunnel from 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. The expression levels of ACAN, SOX9, Collagen I, and MMPs were detected, with all genes being overexpressed compared to the control group and maintaining high levels at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the healing process in our model is aligned with the natural healing process, suggesting the potential for creating a new, efficient, and reproducible mouse animal model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tendon-to-bone healing. Graphical abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:28:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ebaf46b67cce45c3b99a69356815cdbd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1749-799X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:28:16Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-ebaf46b67cce45c3b99a69356815cdbd2024-03-05T16:36:20ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2024-01-0119111010.1186/s13018-023-04496-9A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healingBaoyun Xu0Yunjiao Wang1Gang He2Kang-lai Tang3Lin Guo4Wan Chen5Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical UniversityAbstract Background Tendon-to-bone healing is a critical challenge in sports medicine, with its cellular and molecular mechanisms yet to be explored. An efficient murine model could significantly advance our understanding of this process. However, most existing murine animal models face limitations, including a propensity for bleeding, restricted operational space, and a steep learning curve. Thus, the need for a novel and efficient murine animal model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tendon-to-bone healing is becoming increasingly evident. Methods In our study, forty-four 9-week-old male C57/BL6 mice underwent transection and reattachment of the Achilles tendon insertion to investigate tendon-to-bone healing. At 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively, mice were killed for histological, Micro-CT, biomechanical, and real-time polymerase chain reaction tests. Results Histological staining revealed that the original tissue structure was disrupted and replaced by a fibrovascular scar. Although glycosaminoglycan deposition was present in the cartilage area, the native structure had been destroyed. Biomechanical tests showed that the failure force constituted approximately 44.2% and 77.5% of that in intact tissues, and the ultimate tensile strength increased from 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Micro-CT imaging demonstrated a gradual healing process in the bone tunnel from 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. The expression levels of ACAN, SOX9, Collagen I, and MMPs were detected, with all genes being overexpressed compared to the control group and maintaining high levels at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the healing process in our model is aligned with the natural healing process, suggesting the potential for creating a new, efficient, and reproducible mouse animal model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tendon-to-bone healing. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-04496-9Tendon-to-bone healingMouse animal modelThe Achilles tendonEnthesis |
| spellingShingle | Baoyun Xu Yunjiao Wang Gang He Kang-lai Tang Lin Guo Wan Chen A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research Tendon-to-bone healing Mouse animal model The Achilles tendon Enthesis |
| title | A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing |
| title_full | A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing |
| title_fullStr | A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing |
| title_short | A novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon-to-bone healing |
| title_sort | novel and efficient murine model for investigating tendon to bone healing |
| topic | Tendon-to-bone healing Mouse animal model The Achilles tendon Enthesis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-04496-9 |
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