Flexor tendon healing in vitro:: Effects of TGF-β on tendon cell collaizen production

Flexor tendon healing is complicated by adhesions to the surrounding sheath. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a cytokine with numerous activities related to wound healing. We examined the effects of TGF-beta-1, -2 and -3 on tendon cell proliferation and collagen production. Three separate cell lines-sheath fibroblasts, epitenon and endotenon tenocytes-were isolated from rabbit flexor tendons and cultured separately. Cell culture media was supplemented with I or 5 ng/mL of TGF-beta-1, -2, or -3. Cell number and collagen I and III production were measured and compared with unsupplemented control cultures. The addition of TGF-beta to cell culture media resulted in a decrease in cell number in all 3 lines that did not reach statistical significance. There was a significant increase (p < .05) in collagen I and III production with the addition of all 3 TGF-beta isoforms. Modulation of TGF-beta production may provide a mechanism to modulate adhesion formation clinically. Copyright (C) 2002 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.