Decellularized tendon as a prospective scaffold for tendon repair

•Tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) can develop into novel scaffolds with potential for repairing injured tendons.•Proper agents and decellularization protocols developed to obtain tendon ECMs were summarized.•The methods used to recellularize the tendon ECM and explored to create bio-functional neo-tendons were compared.•The reparative capacity of decellularized tendon scaffolds was discussed in this Review.

Tendon injuries impose significant clinical burdens on healthcare systems worldwide. At present, no therapeutic methods can cure tendon injuries in an ideal manner. With the development and improvement of decellularization technology, tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) can develop into novel scaffolds with potential for repairing injured tendons. Proper agents and decellularization protocols were developed to obtain tendon ECMs, and the method used to recellularize the tendon ECM was explored to create bio-functional neo-tendons for transplants. Further, preliminary testing was done to evaluate the reparative capacity of decellularized tendon scaffolds (DTSs). Here, we assess developments in tendon decellularization and recellularization processes, as well as the possibility for advancing DTSs into clinical applications based on recent findings.