Hyaluronan Modulates Proliferation and Migration of Rabbit Fibroblasts Derived From Flexor Tendon Epitenon and Endotenon

Purpose

There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of hyaluronan (HA) for treatment of injured tendons, although the mechanism of the healing effect has not yet been clarified. We therefore investigated the effects of HA on the proliferation and migration of tendon fibroblasts derived from rabbit flexor tendon epitenon and endotenon.

Methods

From explanted rabbit intrasynovial flexor tendons (n = 5), we cultured tendon fibroblasts derived from the epitenon and endotenon. CD44 expression on the tendon fibroblasts was detected by flow cytometric analysis. Various concentrations of HA (0.1–5.0 mg/mL) were added to monolayer-cultured tendon fibroblasts. We evaluated cell proliferation by recording changes in cell number, and measured cell migration by wound-healing assay.

Results

Flow cytometric analysis detected CD44 expression on the tendon fibroblasts. Treatment with HA at various concentrations notably and dose dependently inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell migration.

Conclusions

Hyaluronan modulates the proliferation and migration of rabbit fibroblasts derived from the flexor tendon epitenon and endotenon.

Key words: CD44, cell migration, cell proliferation, flexor tendon, hyaluronan