Cell and gene therapies for tendon healing:how about their prospects?

Jiang Hong-tao; Wang Wei; Na Lei; Gao Jun; Gao Yun-feng; Sun Bo; Yu Chang-yu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.38.019

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Various views and methods for prevention of tendon adhesion have emerged in recent years;however, there is stil no method that can effectively prevent tendon adhesion. <br> OBJECTIVE:To conclude the etiology and pathogenesis of tendon adhesion and to introduce several popular methods for prevention of tendon adhesion by means of reviewing relevant literatures published in recent years. METHODPubMed database and VIP database were searched for articles related to etiology, healing method and prevention of tendon adhesion published from January 1992 to January 2014 using the keywords of“tendon Injuries;tendon adhesion;healing;mechanisms;prevention”in English and Chinese, respectively. Final y, 41 articles were included in result analysis. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Studies have suggested that there is a close correlation between the mechanisms of tendon adhesion and tendon healing. Endogenous healing and exogenous healing are contained in the process of tendon healing. Endogenous healing is that fiber cells on the tendon surface promote tendon healing through their own proliferation. Exogenous healing is to form scar tissues through granulation generated by the surrounding tissues of tendons. Different suture methods can also cause different tendon repair processes. The suture method with strong tensile strength and smooth surface is considered to be an effective mean to reduce tendon adhesion. To inhibit exogenous healing, we can increase or decrease the corresponding macromolecular substances. Polymer compounds cannot only be the barrier but also can promote endogenous healing. By introducing the gene and mesenchymal stem cells into the tendon, we can promote tendon healing, which means the celltherapy and gene transfer have become the new way to promote the healing of tendon.