Extracorporeal shock waves trigger tenogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells

<b><i>Purposes</i></b>: Incomplete tendon healing impairs the outcome of tendon ruptures and tendinopathies. Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells (hASCs) are promising for tissue engineering applications. Extracorporeal Shock Waves (ESW) are a leading choice for the treatment of several tendinopathies. In this study, we investigated the effects of ESW treatment and tenogenic medium on the differentiation of hASCs into tenoblast-like cells. <i><b>Materials and Methods</b></i>: hASCs were treated with ESW generated by a piezoelectric device and tenogenic medium. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to check the mRNA expression levels of tenogenic transcription factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and integrins. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect collagen 1 and fibronectin. Collagen fibers were evaluated by Masson staining. Calcium deposition was assessed by Alizarin Red staining. <b><i>Results</i></b>: The combined treatment improved the expression of the tendon transcription factors scleraxis and eyes absent 2, and of the extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin, collagen I, and tenomodulin. Cells acquired elongated and spindle shaped fibroblastic morphology; Masson staining revealed the appearance of collagen fibers. Finally, the combined treatment induced the expression of alpha 2, alpha 6, and beta 1 integrin subunits, suggesting a possible role in mediating ESW effects. <b><i>Conclusions</i></b>: ESW in combination with tenogenic medium improved the differentiation of hASCs toward tenoblast-like cells, providing the basis for ESW and hASCs to be used in tendon tissue engineering.