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Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy2017; 25(10); 2415-2426; doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.07.015

MicroRNA29a Treatment Improves Early Tendon Injury.

Abstract: Tendon injuries (tendinopathies) are common in human and equine athletes and characterized by dysregulated collagen matrix, resulting in tendon damage. We have previously demonstrated a functional role for microRNA29a (miR29a) as a post-transcriptional regulator of collagen 3 expression in murine and human tendon injury. Given the translational potential, we designed a randomized, blinded trial to evaluate the potential of a miR29a replacement therapy as a therapeutic option to treat tendinopathy in an equine model that closely mimics human disease. Tendon injury was induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of 17 horses. Tendon lesions were treated 1 week later with an intralesional injection of miR29a or placebo. miR29a treatment reduced collagen 3 transcript levels at week 2, with no significant changes in collagen 1. The relative lesion cross-sectional area was significantly lower in miR29a tendons compared to control tendons. Histology scores were significantly better for miR29a-treated tendons compared to control tendons. These data support the mechanism of microRNA-mediated modulation of early pathophysiologic events that facilitate tissue remodeling in the tendon after injury and provides a strong proof of principle that a locally delivered miR29a therapy improves early tendon healing.
Copyright © 2017 The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-07-28 PubMed ID: 28822690PubMed Central: PMC5628866DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.07.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article presents a study on the use of microRNA29a (miR29a) as a therapy to improve early tendon injury. The study was conducted on horses and found that miR29a reduced certain indicators of injury and facilitated improved healing.

Study Objectives

  • The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of microRNA29a (miR29a) as a post-transcriptional regulator of collagen 3 expression in treating tendon injuries.
  • The study also aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of this therapeutic option in an equine model which closely mimics human tendon injuries.

Methodology

  • Tendon injuries were induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of 17 horses.
  • These tendon lesions were treated a week later with an intralesional injection of miR29a or a placebo.
  • The team measured collagen 3 transcript levels, collagen 1, relative lesion cross-sectional area, and histology scores for the analysis.

Key Findings

  • The study found that miR29a treatment reduced collagen 3 transcript levels at week 2, with no significant changes in collagen 1.
  • The relative lesion cross-sectional area was significantly lower in miR29a treated tendons compared to control tendons. This suggests that application of miR29a minimizes the injury area.
  • Additionally, histology scores were significantly better for miR29a-treated tendons compared to control tendons, implying better tendon condition after treatment.

Conclusion and Implications

  • Findings from this study support the mechanism of microRNA-mediated modulation of early pathophysiological events that facilitate tissue remodeling in the tendon after injury.
  • This signifies a strong proof of principle that a locally delivered miR29a therapy improves early tendon healing and could potentially be transformative for treating tendon injuries in human and equine athletes.

Cite This Article

APA
Watts AE, Millar NL, Platt J, Kitson SM, Akbar M, Rech R, Griffin J, Pool R, Hughes T, McInnes IB, Gilchrist DS. (2017). MicroRNA29a Treatment Improves Early Tendon Injury. Mol Ther, 25(10), 2415-2426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.07.015

Publication

Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
ISSN: 1525-0024
NlmUniqueID: 100890581
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 10
Pages: 2415-2426
PII: S1525-0016(17)30356-8

Researcher Affiliations

Watts, Ashlee E
  • The Comparative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Millar, Neal L
  • Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK. Electronic address: neal.millar@glasgow.ac.uk.
Platt, Josh
  • The Comparative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Kitson, Susan M
  • Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
Akbar, Moeed
  • Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
Rech, Raquel
  • The Comparative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Griffin, Jay
  • The Comparative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Pool, Roy
  • The Comparative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Hughes, Tom
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Forest Mere, Liphook GU30 7JG, UK.
McInnes, Iain B
  • Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
Gilchrist, Derek S
  • Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK. Electronic address: derek.gilchrist@glasgow.ac.uk.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Collagen / genetics
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Tendon Injuries / genetics
  • Tendon Injuries / metabolism
  • Tendon Injuries / therapy
  • Tendons / metabolism
  • Tendons / pathology

Grant Funding

  • MR/N005813/1 / Medical Research Council

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Citations

This article has been cited 39 times.
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