"Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensing and plasticity of tendons and ligaments"

Takahide Matsushima; Asahara Hiroshi

doi:10.1093/jb/mvae039

"Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensing and plasticity of tendons and ligaments"

J Biochem. 2024 May 10:mvae039. doi: 10.1093/jb/mvae039. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Takahide Matsushima¹, Asahara Hiroshi^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
² Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, MBB-102, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

PMID: 38729213
DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae039

Abstract

Tendons and ligaments, crucial components of the musculoskeletal system, connect muscles to bones. In the realm of sports, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable tissues with injuries such as Achilles tendon rupture and anterior cruciate ligament tears directly impacting an athlete's career. Furthermore, repetitive trauma and tissue degeneration can lead to conditions like secondary osteoarthritis, ultimately affecting the overall quality of life. Recent research highlights the pivotal role of mechanical stress in maintaining homeostasis within tendons and ligaments. This review delves into the latest insights on the structure of tendons and ligaments and the plasticity of tendon tissue in response to mechanical loads.

Keywords: Collagen fibers; Developmental mechanisms; Mechanical stimuli; Tendon and ligament tissues; Tissue plasticity; Transcription factors.