Level D· Preclinical EvidenceLaboratory Study

Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Membrane-Coated Mitochondria Restore Tendon Stromal Cell Function Through Metabolic Reprogramming and Promote Achilles Tendon Healing.

Li X., Huo Z., Wang Z., Deng H., Shao H., Li Y.

Laboratory Study on Tendon Injury, published in J Funct Biomater (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

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Study type
Laboratory Study
Journal
J Funct Biomater (2026)
Country
Switzerland
Reported sample size
PMID
41893175
DOI
10.3390/jfb17030119

Abstract (original English)

Achilles tendon rupture often leads to poor functional recovery due to limited self-healing, with mitochondrial dysfunction in tendon stromal cells (TSCs) being a key factor in disease progression. Here, we developed adipose-derived stromal cell (ADSC) membrane-coated mitochondria (Mito-NPs) to target this dysfunction and evaluate their therapeutic potential for tendon repair. Mito-NPs exhibited uniform size, stable surface charge, and effective membrane coating. In lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory TSCs, Mito-NPs enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, improved mitochondrial metabolic homeostasis, and reshaped gene expression profiles to normalize TSC functional phenotypes, including inflammation, migration, and collagen synthesis. When encapsulated in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive hydrogel (Mito-NPs@HG) and implanted into rat Achilles tendon injuries, Mito-NPs@HG improved gait function, decreased local inflammation, and promoted histological repair of damaged tendons by enhancing collagen organization and reducing inflammation. Our findings demonstrate that ADSC membrane-coated mitochondria effectively rescue TSC dysfunction and facilitate tendon regeneration, providing a promising translational strategy for treating tendon injuries.

What this study does not prove

  • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
  • This is preclinical work; animal or laboratory results cannot be applied to humans.

Evidence level

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