Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Improve Tenogenic Commitment of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Potential Strategy for Tendon Repair—An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Tendon repair is a challenging procedure in orthopaedics. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) in tendon regeneration is still investigational. In this perspective, MSCs isolated from the human umbilical cord (UC) may represent a possible candidate for tendon tissue engineering. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of low-frequency PEMF on tenogenic differentiation of MSCs isolated from the human umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) in vitro. 15 fresh UC samples from women with healthy pregnancies were retrieved at the end of caesarean deliveries. UC samples were manually minced into small fragments (less than 4 mm length) and cultured in MSC expansion medium. Part of the UC-MSCs was subsequently cultured with PEMF and tenogenic growth factors. UC-MSCs were subjected to pulsed electromagnetic fields for 2 h/day, 4 h/day, or 8 h/day. UC-MSCs cultured with FGF-2 and stimulated with PEMF showed a greater production of collagen type I and scleraxis. The prolonged exposure to PEMF was also related to the greatest expression of tenogenic markers. Thus, the exposure to PEMF provides a positive preconditioning biophysical stimulus, which may enhance UC-MSC tenogenic potential.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided versus blind interventions for supraspinatus tendinopathy: a cadaveric study.

“…Thus, the ability to puncture only in said area with and without ultrasound has been analyzed. Currently there are different therapeutic options for the treatment of SSE tendinopathies (5). It is vital that their application be done correctly and in the precise area to be treated.…”

“…The current literature advocates for multidisciplinary work among physicians, physiotherapists and rehabilitators to treat this pathology (1,2). Invasive therapies (in which the injured tendon is punctured) either for the application of galvanic currents (3,4), biological therapies (4,5) or analgesics (6,7,8) are a widespread therapeutic tool today. The supraspinatus tendon insertion area (SSP) at the level of footprint is the area most frequently affected in a rotator cuff (RC) injury (Figure 1).…”

Mechanisms of Action of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Tendon Disease

“…10%) [55,153]. Further approaches to tenogenic differentiation by physical stimulation include the use of extracorporeal shock waves [76], pulsed electromagnetic fields [85], and the activation of mechanosensitive membrane receptors [50].…”

Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Induced Tendon Stem Cell Conditioned Medium Promotes Healing of Injured Achilles Tendon

“…Various physical and biological interventions have been developed to improve the healing of injured tendons. For example, many stem cell (SC) types including mesenchymal (M)SCs derived from bone marrow (i.e., BMSCs) ( Sharma and Snedeker, 2010 ; Yin et al, 2016 ; Veronesi et al, 2017 ), adipose tissue ( Lee et al, 2017 ) and umbilical cord ( Marmotti et al, 2018 ) were found to be effective in promoting tendon repair owing to their self-renewal capacity and multidifferentiation potential.…”