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

Author

Listed:
  • Siwen Chen

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Yingxin Lin

    (The University of Sydney
    The University of Sydney
    Science Park)

  • Hao Yang

    (Peking University)

  • Zihao Li

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Sifang Li

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Dongying Chen

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Wenjun Hao

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Shuai Zhang

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Hua Chao

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Jingyu Zhang

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Jianru Wang

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Zemin Li

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Xiang Li

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

  • Zhongping Zhan

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Hui Liu

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Siwen Chen & Yingxin Lin & Hao Yang & Zihao Li & Sifang Li & Dongying Chen & Wenjun Hao & Shuai Zhang & Hua Chao & Jingyu Zhang & Jianru Wang & Zemin Li & Xiang Li & Zhongping Zhan & Hui Liu, 2025. "A CD26+ tendon stem progenitor cell population contributes to tendon repair and heterotopic ossification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56112-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56112-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhengwen An & Maja Sabalic & Ryan F. Bloomquist & Teresa E. Fowler & Todd Streelman & Paul T Sharpe, 2018. "A quiescent cell population replenishes mesenchymal stem cells to drive accelerated growth in mouse incisors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
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