Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a prevalent cause of shoulder dysfunction, with postoperative retearing remaining a significant challenge due to poor tendon-to-bone healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), owing to their multipotency, immunomodulatory properties, and diverse tissue sources, have emerge...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Laimeng Song, Na Li, Jiwu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1647909/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849330658363572224
author Laimeng Song
Na Li
Jiwu Chen
author_facet Laimeng Song
Na Li
Jiwu Chen
author_sort Laimeng Song
collection DOAJ
description Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a prevalent cause of shoulder dysfunction, with postoperative retearing remaining a significant challenge due to poor tendon-to-bone healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), owing to their multipotency, immunomodulatory properties, and diverse tissue sources, have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Current approaches include direct MSC implantation, MSC-laden scaffolds for structural support, and utilization of MSC-derived conditioned medium (CM) or exosomes to enhance regeneration. Clinical studies demonstrate reduced retear rates with MSC-based therapies, yet animal models show inconsistent outcomes, influenced by cell source, delivery methods, and dosage. MSC modifications (e.g., gene editing) and scaffold-based strategies further improve biomechanical strength and fibrocartilage regeneration. Emerging focus on MSC secretome, particularly exosomes, highlights their potential in modulating inflammation and tissue repair. While preclinical results are encouraging, clinical translation requires standardization of protocols, optimization of delivery systems, and long-term safety evaluations.
format Article
id doaj-art-5e3871c9a4a44c3aa2c7b1ba52f1b024
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-4185
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
spelling doaj-art-5e3871c9a4a44c3aa2c7b1ba52f1b0242025-08-20T03:46:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-08-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.16479091647909Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healingLaimeng Song0Na Li1Jiwu Chen2School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Nursing, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaRotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a prevalent cause of shoulder dysfunction, with postoperative retearing remaining a significant challenge due to poor tendon-to-bone healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), owing to their multipotency, immunomodulatory properties, and diverse tissue sources, have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Current approaches include direct MSC implantation, MSC-laden scaffolds for structural support, and utilization of MSC-derived conditioned medium (CM) or exosomes to enhance regeneration. Clinical studies demonstrate reduced retear rates with MSC-based therapies, yet animal models show inconsistent outcomes, influenced by cell source, delivery methods, and dosage. MSC modifications (e.g., gene editing) and scaffold-based strategies further improve biomechanical strength and fibrocartilage regeneration. Emerging focus on MSC secretome, particularly exosomes, highlights their potential in modulating inflammation and tissue repair. While preclinical results are encouraging, clinical translation requires standardization of protocols, optimization of delivery systems, and long-term safety evaluations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1647909/fullmesenchymal stem cellsrotator cuff tendon-bone healingconditioned mediumexosomestissue engineeringscaffolds
spellingShingle Laimeng Song
Na Li
Jiwu Chen
Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
mesenchymal stem cells
rotator cuff tendon-bone healing
conditioned medium
exosomes
tissue engineering
scaffolds
title Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing
title_full Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing
title_fullStr Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing
title_full_unstemmed Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing
title_short Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing
title_sort research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and related therapies for rotator cuff tendon to bone healing
topic mesenchymal stem cells
rotator cuff tendon-bone healing
conditioned medium
exosomes
tissue engineering
scaffolds
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1647909/full
work_keys_str_mv AT laimengsong researchadvancesinmesenchymalstemcellsandrelatedtherapiesforrotatorcufftendontobonehealing
AT nali researchadvancesinmesenchymalstemcellsandrelatedtherapiesforrotatorcufftendontobonehealing
AT jiwuchen researchadvancesinmesenchymalstemcellsandrelatedtherapiesforrotatorcufftendontobonehealing