Orthopedic & Muscular System: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

In vitro effect of transforming growth factor-B1 (TGF-B1) on gene expression in human flexor digitorum profundus tendon cells

Subhash C. Juneja, Tony Chen, Youssef M Farhat and Christian Veillette

Among hand injuries, exor tendon lacerations remain a challenge for hand surgeons. There are presently no therapeutic agents available for the prevention of tendon adhesions. It is already known that TGF-1 plays a role in tendon healing as well as in adhesion formation. Anti-TGF-1 therapies are not eective in preventing adhesion formation. The goal of the present study was to identify possible genes that are aected by TGF-1 in human Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) tendon cells (tenocytes) in vitro. Tenocytes were isolated from human FDP tendons and treated with TGF-1 in low-serum cell culture medium. Gene expression was assessed at 6h and 24h using RTPCR. TGF-1 caused upregulation of several genes (SERPINE1, PLAU, ACTA2, CTGF, FN1, COL1A1, COL3A1, LOX, COMP, MMP13, TIMP1, TIMP3, BGN, SCX, POSTN, SMAD7, IL6, IGF1), downregulation of MMP9, DCN and ACAN, and had no eect on MMP2 and TIMP2. Targeting TGF-1-aected genes may be an alternative therapeutic approach in controlling adhesion formation that may lead to optimal healing of injured FDP tendon or FDP tendon graft.