Significance
Osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ectopic calcification in tendinopathy. In this study, we found that growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist (GA) can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and adjust TSPCs differentiation. Bovine serum albumin/heparin nanoparticles (BHNPs) were developed to encapsulate GA and achieve sustained release of GA at the site of inflammation. The developed compound, BHNPs@GA, with a synergistic effect of inhibiting ROS and thus, can effectively adjust TSPCs differentiation, inhibit tendon calcification, and promote collagen formation in tendinopathy. This study highlighted the role of ROS underlying the differentiation and dedifferentiation of TSPCs in tendinopathy, and findings may help to identify new therapeutic targets and develop novel strategy for treating tendinopathy.
Statement of significance
Osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ectopic calcification in tendinopathy. In this study, we found that growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist (GA) can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and adjust TSPCs differentiation. Bovine serum albumin/heparin nanoparticles (BHNPs) were developed to encapsulate GA and achieve sustained release of GA at the site of inflammation. The developed compound, BHNPs@GA, with a synergistic effect of inhibiting ROS and thus, can effectively adjust TSPCs differentiation, inhibit tendon calcification, and promote collagen formation in tendinopathy. This study highlighted the role of ROS underlying the differentiation and dedifferentiation of TSPCs in tendinopathy, and findings may help to identify new therapeutic targets and develop novel strategy for treating tendinopathy.