Findings from a canine study published online in CORR suggest that an application of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-12 (rBMP-12) may help accelerate healing in the proliferative stage of tendon repair. 

The researchers applied ASC sheets, both with and without rBMP-12, to the surface of sutured flexor tendons in a canine model. At 14-day follow-up, they found that ASC-sheet treatment modulated the post-repair inflammatory response and facilitated healing by increasing regenerative M2 macrophages, inflammatory inhibitor, and proteins involved in tendon formation. In addition, the combined administration of ASCs and rBMP-12 further stimulated M2 macrophages and led to the increase of M2 effector matrix metalloproteinase-12 involved in matrix remodeling, reduction of a negative regulator of angiogenesis and cell migration, and facilitated the proliferative stage of tendon repair. Learn more...