A CD26+ tendon stem progenitor cell population contributes to tendon repair and heterotopic ossification

S Siwen Chen Y Yingxin Lin H Hao Yang Z Zihao Li (State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center for Nano Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering) S Sifang Li D Dongying Chen W Wenjun Hao S Shuai Zhang H Hua Chao J Jingyu Zhang (East China University of Science and Technology , , ,) J Jianru Wang Z Zemin Li (State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering) X Xiang Li Z Zhongping Zhan H Hui Liu

Abstract

Abstract Inadequate tendon healing and heterotopic bone formation result in substantial pain and disability, yet the specific cells responsible for tendon healing remain uncertain. Here we identify a CD26+ tendon stem/progenitor cells residing in peritendon, which constitutes a primitive stem cell population with self-renewal and multipotent differentiation potentials. CD26+ tendon stem/progenitor cells migrate into the tendon midsubstance and differentiation into tenocytes during tendon healing, while ablation of these cells led to insufficient tendon healing. Additionally, CD26+ tendon stem/progenitor cells contribute to heterotopic ossification and Tenascin-C-Hippo signaling is involved in this process. Targeting Tenascin-C significantly suppresses chondrogenesis of CD26+ tendon stem/progenitor cells and subsequent heterotopic ossification. Our findings provide insights into the identification of tendon stem/progenitor cells and illustrate the essential role of CD26+ tendon stem/progenitor cells in tendon healing and heterotopic bone formation.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 16, Issue 1
Published January 16, 2025
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (15)

S

Siwen Chen

Y

Yingxin Lin

H

Hao Yang

Z

Zihao Li

State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center for Nano Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering

S

Sifang Li

D

Dongying Chen

W

Wenjun Hao

S

Shuai Zhang

H

Hua Chao

J

Jingyu Zhang

East China University of Science and Technology , , ,

J

Jianru Wang

Z

Zemin Li

State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering

X

Xiang Li

Z

Zhongping Zhan

H

Hui Liu