The tendon unit: biochemical, biomechanical, hormonal influences.

Abstract

The current literature has mainly focused on the biology of tendons and on the characterization of the biological properties of tenocytes and tenoblasts. It is still not understood how these cells can work together in homeostatic equilibrium. We put forward the concept of the "tendon unit" as a morpho-functional unit that can be influenced by a variety of external stimuli such as mechanical stimuli, hormonal influence, or pathological states. We describe how this unit can modify itself to respond to such stimuli. We evidence the capability of the tendon unit of healing itself through the production of collagen following different mechanical stimuli and hypothesize that restoration of the homeostatic balance of the tendon unit should be a therapeutic target.