In vitro collagen biomarkers in mechanically stimulated human tendon cells: a systematic review

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#humans #collagen #tendons #collagen-type-i #biomarkers

In vitro collagen biomarkers in mechanically stimulated human tendon cells: a systematic review

Squier et al., 2024 | Connect Tissue Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Squier Kipling, Mousavizadeh Rouhollah, ... Scott Alexander. In vitro collagen biomarkers in mechanically stimulated human tendon cells: a systematic review. Connect Tissue Res. 2024-Mar;65(2):89-101. doi:10.1080/03008207.2024.2313582

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to comprehensively examine and summarize the available in vitro evidence regarding the relationship between mechanical stimulation and biomarkers of collagen synthesis in human-derived tendon cells. METHODS: Systematic review with narrative analyses and risk of bias assessment guided by the Health Assessment and Translation tool. The electronic databases MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), CENTRAL (Ovid) and COMPENDEX (Engineering Village) were systematically searched from inception to 3 August 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed English language, original experimental, or quasi-experimental in vitro publications that subjected human tendon cells to mechanical stimulation, with collagen synthesis (total collagen, type I, III, V, XI, XII, and XIV) and related biomarkers (matrix metalloproteinases, transforming growth factor β, scleraxis, basic fibroblast growth factor) as outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-one publications were included. A pervasive definite high risk of bias was evident in all included studies. Owing to incomplete outcome reporting and heterogeneity in mechanical stimulation protocols, planned meta-analyses were unfeasible. Reviewed data suggested that human tendon cells respond to mechanical stimulation with increased synthesis of collagen (e.g., COL1A1, procollagen, total soluble collagen, etc.), scleraxis and several matrix metalloproteinases. Results also indicate that mechanical stimulation dose magnitude may influence synthesis in several biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: A limited number of studies, unfortunately characterized by a definite high risk of bias, suggest that in vitro mechanical stimulation primarily increases type I collagen synthesis by human tendon cells. Findings from this systematic review provide researchers and clinicians with biological evidence concerning the possible beneficial influence of exercise and loading on cellular-level tendon adaptation.

Key Findings

Twenty-one publications were included. A pervasive definite high risk of bias was evident in all included studies. Owing to incomplete outcome reporting and heterogeneity in mechanical stimulation protocols, planned meta-analyses were unfeasible. Reviewed data suggested that human tendon cells respond to mechanical stimulation with increased synthesis of collagen (e.g., COL1A1, procollagen, total soluble collagen, etc.), scleraxis and several matrix metalloproteinases. Results also indicate that

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Collagen
  • Tendons
  • Collagen Type I
  • Biomarkers
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: collagen

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09