30 research outputs found
Unexpected presence of the neurotrophins NGF and BDNF and the neurotrophin receptor p75 in the tendon cells of the human Achilles tendon
Neurotrophins are substances that have been
shown to be important in growth and remodelling phases
in different types of tissue. There is no information
concerning the possible occurrences of neurotrophins
and their receptors in tendons. In this study, sections of
both chronic painful (tendinosis) and pain-free (nontendinosis)
human Achilles tendons were immunohistochemically
stained with antibodies against the
neurotrophins NGF and BDNF, and their receptors
TrkA, TrkB and p75. There were marked immunoreactions
for NGF and BDNF in the tendon cells
(tenocytes) of both tendinosis and non-tendinosis
specimens. The tenocytes were also reactive for the
receptor p75, but not for the receptors TrkA and TrkB. In
addition, p75 immunoreactions were seen in nerve
fascicles and in the walls of arterioles. This is the first
study to identify neurotrophins in the tenocytes of
human tendon. It is clear from this study that the local
cells of tendons are sources of neurotrophins. The
neurotrophins may play an important role in the tendon
through their interaction with the receptor p75 in the
tenocytes. These interactions may regulate tropic
modulatory, and apoptotic effects. In conclusion, the
observations show a new concept concerning production and function of neurotrophins, namely in the tenocytes
of tendons