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Review
. 2023 Apr 21;18(1):311.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03796-4.

The tendon unit: biochemical, biomechanical, hormonal influences

Nicola Maffulli  1   2   3 , Francesco Cuozzo  3 , Filippo Migliorini  4   5 , Francesco Oliva  3
Affiliations
Review

The tendon unit: biochemical, biomechanical, hormonal influences

Nicola Maffulli et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

The current literature has mainly focused on the biology of tendons and on the characterization of the biological properties of tenocytes and tenoblasts. It is still not understood how these cells can work together in homeostatic equilibrium. We put forward the concept of the "tendon unit" as a morpho-functional unit that can be influenced by a variety of external stimuli such as mechanical stimuli, hormonal influence, or pathological states. We describe how this unit can modify itself to respond to such stimuli. We evidence the capability of the tendon unit of healing itself through the production of collagen following different mechanical stimuli and hypothesize that restoration of the homeostatic balance of the tendon unit should be a therapeutic target.

Keywords: Tendon healing; Tendon unit; Tenoblast; Tenocyte.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The tendon unit
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The process of tendon healing goes through three phases. GF is expressed in each phase, promoting the proliferation of cells, ECM and the tendon healing process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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