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In vitro functional response of human tendon cells to different dosages of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field

  • Experimental Study
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Chronic tendinopathy is a degenerative process causing pain and disability. Current treatments include biophysical therapies, such as pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF). The aim of this study was to compare, for the first time, the functional in vitro response of human tendon cells to different dosages of PEMF, varying in field intensity and duration and number of exposures.

Methods

Tendon cells, isolated from human semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (hTCs; n = 6), were exposed to different PEMF treatments (1.5 or 3 mT for 8 or 12 h, single or repeated treatments). Scleraxis (SCX), COL1A1, COL3A1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression and cytokine production were assessed.

Results

None of the different dosages provoked apoptotic events. Proliferation of hTCs was enhanced by all treatments, whereas only 3 mT-PEMF treatment increased cell viability. However, the single 1.5 mT-PEMF treatment elicited the highest up-regulation of SCX, VEGF-A and COL1A1 expression, and it significantly reduced COL3A1 expression with respect to untreated cells. The treated hTCs showed a significantly higher release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β. Interestingly, the repeated 1.5 mT-PEMF significantly further increased IL-10 production.

Conclusions

1.5 mT-PEMF treatment was able to give the best results in in vitro healthy human tendon cell culture. Although the clinical relevance is not direct, this investigation should be considered an attempt to clarify the effect of different PEMF protocols on tendon cells, in particular focusing on the potential applicability of this cell source for regenerative medicine purpose, both in surgical and in conservative treatment for tendon disorders.

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Abbreviations

PEMF:

Pulsed electromagnetic fields

hTCs:

Human tendon cells

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Acknowledgments

The Authors thank Dr. Alessandra Colombini for her precious help in RT-PCR analyses. The study has been partially supported by IGEA SpA, Clinical Biophysics, Carpi (Italy), and by the Italian Ministry of Health (Ricerca Corrente L1006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Biotechnology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi, 4, 20161, Milan, Italy

    L. de Girolamo, M. Viganò & D. Stanco

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche ed Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

    E. Galliera

  3. IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy

    E. Galliera

  4. IGEA SpA, Clinical Biophysics, Carpi, Italy

    S. Setti

  5. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

    M. G. Marazzi, M. M. Corsi Romanelli & V. Sansone

  6. Sport Traumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy

    G. Thiebat

  7. IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy

    M. M. Corsi Romanelli

  8. Orthopaedic Department, Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy

    V. Sansone

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  1. L. de Girolamo
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  2. M. Viganò
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  3. E. Galliera
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  4. D. Stanco
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  6. M. G. Marazzi
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  8. M. M. Corsi Romanelli
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  9. V. Sansone
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. de Girolamo.

Additional information

M. Viganò and E. Galliera have contributed equally to the manuscript.

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de Girolamo, L., Viganò, M., Galliera, E. et al. In vitro functional response of human tendon cells to different dosages of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 3443–3453 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3143-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3143-x

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