Application of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma to Treat Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries such as tendinopathy are a serious health care problem in the United States. However, current treatments of tendon injuries are largely palliative. Biological treatments, including tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hold great potential to effectively treat tendon injuries. TSCs are tendon-specific stem cells and have the ability to differentiate into tenocytes, the resident tendon cells responsible for tendon homeostasis and tendon repair in case of an injury. TSCs can also self-renew and thus, can replenish the tendon with tendon cells (TSCs and tenocytes) to maintain a healthy tendon. The action of PRP can be complementary; PRP can augment and accelerate tendon healing by supplying abundant growth factors contained in platelets, and fibrin matrix, which functions as a natural conducive scaffold to facilitate tissue healing. This article provides a summary of the findings in recent basic and clinical studies on the applications of TSCs and PRP to the treatment of tendon injuries. It also outlines the challenges facing their applications in clinical settings. In particular, the controversy surrounding the efficacy of PRP treatment of tendon injuries are analyzed and solutions are suggested.