Kartogenin induces cartilage-like tissue formation in tendon–bone junction

Abstract

Tendon–bone junctions (TBJs) are frequently injured, especially in athletic settings. Healing of TBJ injuries is slow and is often repaired with scar tissue formation that compromises normal function. This study explored the feasibility of using kartogenin (KGN), a biocompound, to enhance the healing of injured TBJs. We first determined the effects of KGN on the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and patellar tendon stem/progenitor cells (PTSCs) in vitro. KGN enhanced cell proliferation in both cell types in a concentration-dependent manner and induced chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells, as demonstrated by high expression levels of chondrogenic markers aggrecan, collagen II and Sox-9. Besides, KGN induced the formation of cartilage-like tissues in cell cultures, as observed through the staining of abundant proteoglycans, collagen II and osteocalcin. When injected into intact rat patellar tendons in vivo, KGN induced cartilage-like tissue formation in the injected area. Similarly, when KGN was injected into experimentally injured rat Achilles TBJs, wound healing in the TBJs was enhanced, as evidenced by the formation of extensive cartilage-like tissues. These results suggest that KGN may be used as an effective cell-free clinical therapy to enhance the healing of injured TBJs.

Tendon injury: Biocompound could promote healing of tendon-bone interface

The biocompound kartogenin (KGN) may help promote the healing of tendon-bone interfaces following an injury or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Jianying Zhang and James Wang from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA, found that KGN improved the growth of two types of cells: those found in the bone marrow and those in tendons. The biocompound also accelerated the formation of cartilage-like tissues within cell cultures and promoted wound healing when injected into injured rat Achilles tendon-bone junctions. Hence, KGN may be used as an effective cell-free therapy to enhance the healing of injured tendon-bone junctions in clinical settings. KGN may also be used to enhance tendon-bone interface healing after ACL reconstruction by injecting the biocompound along with engineered tendon matrix during surgery.

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