Effect of optogenetic-induced muscle loading on the transcriptomics of murine Achilles tendon and calcaneus

We used optogenetics to induce skeletal muscle contraction and unilaterally load the Achilles tendon and enthesis in young (i.e., during growth) Acta1Cre;Ai32 mice. We then performed gene expression analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of optogenetically loaded tendon and enthesis (bone) at two time points. Gene expression analysis of RNA-seq data for optogenetically loaded tendon and bone compared with unstimulated or naïve controls.