ADSC-EVs Activate Autophagy Via the AKT/FOXO1 Pathway to Inhibit Tendon Fibrosis.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) play an important role in tendon healing and regeneration. However, the role of EVs in regulating tendon fibrosis during autophagy has not previously been reported. Purpose To investigate the effect of EVs from ADSCs (ADSC-EVs) on the autophagy-mediated regulation of tendon fibrosis. Study design Controlled laboratory study. Methods We extracted ADSCs and tenocytes from Sprague-Dawley rats, isolated EVs, and verified their uptake by tenocyts tendon fibroblasts. To assess the effects of ADSC-EVs on tendon fibroblasts, we conducted an EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) assay, scratch assay, and transwell assay to evaluate cell proliferation and migration. The activation of autophagy, a fundamental function of eukaryotic cells, by ADSC-EVs was investigated through western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, and transfection with green fluorescent protein-red fluorescent protein-LC3B. Finally, an in vivo experiment was conducted using a patellar tendon healing model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and biomechanical testing were performed to assess tendon healing. Results In vitro, ADSC-EVs enhanced the proliferation and migration of tendon fibroblasts after uptake. In vivo, ADSC-EVs were mixed with a gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel, applied to the injured patellar tendon, and exposed to u

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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