Open Access

REVIEW

Control of tendon cell fate in the embryonic limb: A molecular perspective

by JESSICA CRISTINA MARÍN-LLERA^*, CARLOS AMAURY JIMÉNEZ-CÁRDENAS, JESÚS CHIMAL-MONROY^*

Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad Universitaria, Apartado Postal 70228, México, DF 04510, México

* Corresponding Authors: JESSICA CRISTINA MARÍN-LLERA. Email: ; JESÚS CHIMAL-MONROY. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cellular and Molecular Toxicology in Reproductive and Developmental Biology)

BIOCELL 2023, 47(3), 465-471. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2023.024625

Received 02 June 2022; Accepted 05 September 2022; Issue published 03 January 2023

Abstract

The molecular cascade underlying tendon formation starts when progenitor cells begin to express the Scleraxis (Scx) gene. Scx knockout mice develop some but not all tendons, suggesting that additional factors are necessary for tendon commitment, maintenance, and differentiation. Other transcription factors, such as Mohawk (Mkx) or early growth response (Egr), maintain Scx expression and extracellular matrix formation during fibrillogenesis. The inhibition of wingless and int-related protein signaling is necessary and sufficient to induce the expression of Scx. Once the commitment of tenogenic lineage occurs, transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) induces the Scx gene expression, becoming involved in the maintenance of tendon cell fate. From this point of view, we discussed two phases of the tenogenic process during limb development: dependent and independent of mechanical forces. Finally, we highlight the importance of understanding embryonic tendon development to improve therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicines for tendons.

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Keywords

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