Transcriptome profiling of tendon fibroblasts at the onset of embryonic muscle contraction reveals novel force-responsive genes. FAC sorted tenocytes from 36 hpf vs. 48 hpf zebrafish embryos bulk RNAseq dataset

Mechanical forces play a critical role in tendon development and function, influencing cell behavior through mechanotransduction signaling pathways and subsequent extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Here we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which tenocytes in developing zebrafish embryos respond to muscle contraction forces during the onset of swimming and cranial muscle activity. Using genome-wide bulk RNA sequencing of FAC-sorted tenocytes we identify novel tenocyte markers and genes involved in tendon mechanotransduction. FAC sorted mCherry+ cells from 36 hpf and 48 hpf Tg(scxa:mCherry) zebrafish embryos, labeling tendon fibroblasts (tenocytes). 36 hpf embryos have not yet begun active muscle contraction, and 48 hpf embryos are freely swimming, indicating active muscle contraction onset.