Impact of TGF-β inhibition during acute exercise on Achilles tendon extracellular matrix

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of TGF-β1 in regulating tendon extracellular matrix after acute exercise. Wistar rats exercised ( n = 15) on a treadmill for four consecutive days (60 min/day) or maintained normal cage activity. After each exercise bout, the peritendinous space of each Achilles tendon was injected with a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor or sham. Independent of group, tendons injected with inhibitor exhibited ~50% lower Smad 3 (Ser423/425) ( P < 0.05) and 2.5-fold greater ERK1/2 phosphorylation ( P < 0.05) when compared with sham ( P < 0.05). Injection of the inhibitor did not alter collagen content in either group ( P > 0.05). In exercised rats, hydroxylyslpyridinoline content and collagen III expression were lower ( P < 0.05) in tendons injected with inhibitor when compared with sham. In nonexercised rats, collagen I and lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression was lower ( P < 0.05) in tendons injected with inhibitor when compared with sham. Decorin expression was not altered by inhibitor in either group ( P > 0.05). On the basis of evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained cross sections, cell numbers were not altered by inhibitor treatment in either group ( P > 0.05). Evaluation of H&E-stained sections revealed no effect of inhibitor on collagen fibril morphology. In contrast, scores for regional variation in cellularity decreased in exercised rats ( P < 0.05). No differences in fiber arrangement, structure, and nuclei form were noted in either group ( P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that TGF-β1 signaling is necessary for the regulation of tendon cross-link formation, as well as collagen and LOX gene transcription in an exercise-dependent manner.