Cytoskeletal tensional homeostasis is known to be an important factor in controlling catabolic gene expression in tendon cells. Loss of cell tension in lax rat tail tendon fascicles (RTTfs) has been associated with an upregulation of MMP-13 gene expression and protein synthesis. To determine the role of the actin cytoskeleton in re-establishing tensional homeostasis in lax tendons, RTTfs were allowed to freely contract in vitro for 8 days. The cultured RTTfs contracted rapidly, reaching 50% of their initial length by 3 days. This contraction was associated with the presence of α-smooth muscle actin positive cells within the tendon. Disruption of the actin network by cytochalasian D caused an immediate and significant elongation of the contracted RTTfs. Subsequent removal of the cytochalasian D re-initiated the contraction process. When lax RTTfs were allowed to contract between fixed clamps in culture and become taut, they demonstrated a marked decrease in MMP-13 staining intensity when compared to freely contracting RTTfs. The ability of native tendon cells to contract lax tendons and re-establish their homeostatic "set point" with respect to collagenase production may be an important mechanism in the recovery of tendons elongated by injury, surgical positioning, or cyclic, viscoelastic creep secondary to repetitive exercise.
Copyright © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society.