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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Orthop Res / Restricted differentiation potential of progenitor cell popu...
Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society2015; 33(6); 849-858; doi: 10.1002/jor.22891

Restricted differentiation potential of progenitor cell populations obtained from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT).

Abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize stem and progenitor cell populations from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon, an energy-storing tendon with similarities to the human Achilles tendon, which is frequently injured. Using published methods for the isolation of tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells by low-density plating we found that isolated cells possessed clonogenicity but were unable to fully differentiate towards mesenchymal lineages using trilineage differentiation assays. In particular, adipogenic differentiation appeared to be restricted, as assessed by Oil Red O staining of stem/progenitor cells cultured in adipogenic medium. We then assessed whether differential adhesion to fibronectin substrates could be used to isolate a population of cells with broader differentiation potential. However we found little difference in the stem and tenogenic gene expression profile of these cells as compared to tenocytes, although the expression of thrombospondin-4 was significantly reduced in hypoxic conditions. Tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells isolated by differential adhesion to fibronectin had a similar differentiation potential to cells isolated by low density plating, and when grown in either normoxic or hypoxic conditions. In summary, we have found a restricted differentiation potential of cells isolated from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon despite evidence for stem/progenitor-like characteristics.
© 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Publication Date: 2015-04-17 PubMed ID: 25877997PubMed Central: PMC4657492DOI: 10.1002/jor.22891Google 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.

The research investigates the differentiation potential of stem or progenitor cells harvested from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon—a tendon similar to the human Achilles—which often suffers injuries. The study reveals the cells have limited differentiation capabilities.

Isolation and Characterization of Tendon-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells

  • The researchers aimed to identify and analyze stem and progenitor cell populations from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. Utilizing established methods for the isolation of tendon-derived stem or progenitor cells via low-density plating, the team found that the harvested cells possessed the capacity for clonal growth, an essential characteristic for stem cells.
  • However, when subjected to trilineage differentiation assays—a series of tests that check how stem cells can differentiate into varying types of specialized cells—the cells failed to fully differentiate into mesenchymal lineages. Mesenchymal lineages include a variety of cell types such as fat cells, bone cells, cartilage cells, and muscle cells. Restriction in this differentiation process signifies limited versatility of the progenitor cells.

Adipogenic Differentiation Limitations

  • The study paid attention to the significant restriction on adipogenic differentiation, i.e., the process where stem cells develop into fat cells. They evaluated this using Oil Red O staining. This staining technique was used on the stem or progenitor cells that were cultured in an adipogenic medium, leading to the discovery of the lack of adipogenic potential in the harvested cells.

Failed Attempt to Isolate Broad-Differentiation-Potential Cell Population

  • The researchers tried to isolate a cell population with a broader differentiation ability based on their adhesion to fibronectin substrates. However, they saw little difference in gene expression linked to stem and tendon characteristics compared to tenocytes, which are regular tendon cells.
  • Also noteworthy was diminished expression of thrombospondin-4 in hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions, which may hint at a possible role in cell differentiation, although the paper does not expand on this.
  • The differentiation aptitude of tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells isolated through differential adhesion to fibronectin proved to be very similar, irrespective of whether they were cultured under normal or low oxygen conditions or when isolated by low-density plating.

Study Summary

  • This study concludes that despite having characteristics resembling stem/progenitor cells, the cell populations isolated from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon demonstrated a restricted differentiation potential. Such limitations may influence repair strategies for tendinous injuries in both horses and, by extrapolation, in humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Williamson KA, Lee KJ, Humphreys WJ, Comerford EJ, Clegg PD, Canty-Laird EG. (2015). Restricted differentiation potential of progenitor cell populations obtained from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). J Orthop Res, 33(6), 849-858. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.22891

Publication

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
ISSN: 1554-527X
NlmUniqueID: 8404726
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 6
Pages: 849-858

Researcher Affiliations

Williamson, Kate Ann
  • Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom.
Lee, Katie Joanna
    Humphreys, William James Edward
      Comerford, Eithne Josephine Veronica
        Clegg, Peter David
          Canty-Laird, Elizabeth Gail

            MeSH Terms

            • Adult Stem Cells / physiology
            • Animals
            • Cell Adhesion
            • Cell Differentiation
            • Cell Separation
            • Cells, Cultured
            • Fibronectins
            • Horses
            • Tendons / cytology
            • Wound Healing

            Grant Funding

            • MR/J002909/1 / Medical Research Council
            • MR/K006312/1 / Medical Research Council
            • MR/J002909 / Medical Research Council
            • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 13 times.
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