Sensory nerves protect against tendon degeneration
Findings indicate that sensory neuron-derived proteins regulate tendon repair and have a protective role in chronic tendinopathy.
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Pain is a hallmark of chronic tendinopathy, but the role of sensory neurons seems to extend beyond pain signalling. Now, findings build on this concept by indicating that sensory neurons have a protective role in tendon repair.
In the current study, tendon degeneration was associated with an increase in sensory nerve innervation and vascularity in two mouse models of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. To further assess the role of peripheral nerves in tendon repair, the authors used the NgfCsf1r transgenic mouse model, in which mice lack Ngf (the gene that encodes nerve growth factor) specifically in macrophages. These mice had reduced tendon innervation that resulted in tendon degeneration. In addition, tendon repair was diminished in TrkAF592A mice, which lack the nerve growth factor receptor.