Mechano growth factor-C24E, a potential promoting biochemical factor for ligament tissue engineering

• MGF-C24E inhibits static stretch induced ER-stress.
• MGF-C24E induces LOXs family genes expression.
• MGF-C24E regulates stretch induced cell deformation.
• MGF-C24E regulates viscoelasticity of cells.

Ligaments play an important role in stabilizing and balancing knee joint movement. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries remain a challenge in clinical and experimental settings due to the poor healing potential of ACL injuries. This study investigates whether the short peptide Mechano growth factor-C24E (MGF-C24E) is an efficient biochemical factor to promote repair of ACL injuries. We found that MGF-C24E-treated (5–30 ng/ml) synovial fibroblasts (SFs) subjected to the static stretching (12% strain) were experienced significant lower oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by SFs was also decreased. In addition, when ACL fibroblasts (ACLFs) were injured and then cultured in SFs culture medium after the SFs had been treated with MGF-C24E, the ACLFs exhibited increased proliferation, migration, collagen synthesis and enhanced mechanical recovery. These results indicate that MGF-C24E can interact with injured SFs and affect the injury microenvironment of the knee to promote ACLFs mechanical injury repair.

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