Inhibition effect of mannose-6-phosphate on expression of transforming growth factor Beta receptor in flexor tendon cells.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) has an important role in tendon healing and adhesion formation. Inhibiting TGF-β and its receptor expression may prevent adhesions after tendon open. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of mannose-6-phosphate, a natural inhibitor of TGF-β, on TGF-β and its receptor production in tendon sheath fibroblasts, epitenon tenocytes, and endotenon tenocytes of rabbit flexor tendons. Tendon sheath fibroblasts, epitenon tenocytes, and endotenon tenocytes were isolated from rabbit flexor tendons and cultured separately. The cells were divided into 2 groups at random: an experiment group supplemented with mannose-6-phosphate and a control group without mannose-6-phosphate. The expression of TGF-β and TGF-β receptor was quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The luciferase assay measured TGF-β bioactivity. Transforming growth factor beta expression in the experimental group was not decreased compared with the control group, with no significant difference (P>.05) Transforming growth factor beta receptor expression in the experiment group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<.05). Mannose-6-phosphate significantly decreased the expression of TGF-β receptor and TGF-β bioactivity. Modulation of mannose-6-phosphate levels may provide a means of modulating the effects of TGF-β on adhesion formation in flexor tendon wound healing. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.