It is known that mechanical loading of muscles increases the strength of healing tendon tissue, but the mechanism involved remains elusive. We hypothesized that the secretome from myoblasts in co-culture with tenocytes affects tenocyte migration, cell phenotype, and collagen (Col) production and that the effect is dependent on different types of mechanical loading of myoblasts. To test this, we used an in vitro indirect transwell co-culture system. Myoblasts were mechanically loaded using the FlexCell® Tension system. Tenocyte cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, collagen production, and several tenocyte markers were measured. The secretome from myoblasts decreased the Col I/III ratio and increased the expression of tenocyte specific markers as compared with tenocytes cultured alone. The secretome from statically loaded myoblasts significantly enhanced tenocyte migration and Col I/III ratio as compared with dynamic loading and controls. In addition, the secretome from statically loaded myoblasts induced tenocytes towards a myofibroblast-like phenotype. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the secretome from statically loaded myoblasts has a profound influence on tenocytes, affecting parameters that are related to the tendon healing process.
Keywords: collagen; differentiation; mechanical loading; migration; myoblast; proliferation; secretome; tenocyte.