KOOB, Thomas J.; SUMMERS, Adam P.: An integrated view of tendon biology: bridging the gap between medicine, material, and organism

Subsequent to catastrophic failure, tendons undergo a reparative sequence involving epitenon fibroblast colonization of the gap, collagen dominated scar formation, and eventual reorganization of the collagen fibril architecture parallel to the tensile load. However, tendons never achieve normal tensile properties, and adhesions form during the requisite immobilization thereby limiting excursion. Can the repair process be manipulated to return the injured tendon to normal mechanical properties? Biomimetic and tissue engineering approaches to effectively bridge gaps in tendons must rely on a fundamental understanding of 1) the ontogenetic assembly of tendon matrices, 2) the structural and physicochemical bases for tendon material properties, and 3) the mechanical expectations of the repaired system. We envision that an understanding of tendon in a variety of vertebrate model systems will result in novel answers to these questions. The organismic biology community offers a breadth of knowledge about non-mammalian models, and we expect this knowledge to inform our thinking as biomedical engineers. Conversely, the tools that have been developed by biomedical researchers, using mammalian models systems. are a particularly acute tool that organismic biologists should be using to investigate issues of evolution, structure, and function in other vertebrates.