From tear to repair: transcriptomic signatures related to rotator cuff tendon healing outcomes: a prospective clinical and laboratory study.

Abstract

Rotator cuff tears are a leading cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction, with variable healing after rotator cuff repair. Predicting tendon healing remains challenging, with failure rates reaching 21% at 2 years. This study employs transcriptomic analysis to identify gene pathways associated with tendon healing, with clinical and radiological correlation at 2 years postoperatively. A prospective multicenter laboratory-based and clinical study of 25 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was conducted. Intraoperative biopsies were taken from the torn rotator cuff tendon, RNA sequencing was performed, and differential gene expression was analyzed using DESeq2. Functional pathway enrichment was assessed via Reactome and the mitch Bioconductor package. Patient-reported outcome measures, including Oxford Shoulder Score, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and EuroQol Visual Analog Scale, were collected at baseline, 3 months, 12 months, and 2 years. At 2 years, tendons were classified as intact or torn based on standardized gray scale ultrasound, interpreted by experienced musculoskeletal sonographers. Intact tendons showed no visible discontinuity, cleft, or delamination. Both intact (67%) and torn groups (33%) showed significant patient-reported outcome measure improvements, with no statistically significant differences between groups. The torn group experienced an early decline in EuroQol Visual Analog Scale scores, recovering by 12 months and stabilizing by 2 years, while the intact group maintained stable scores. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct differences: intact tendons showed increased activity in DNA repair and extracellular matrix (ECM) stabilization pathways, alongside reduced inflammation and enhanced metabolism. In contrast, torn tendons exhibited ongoing inflammation and impaired ECM remodeling. Rotator cuff healing involves suppression of inflammation and activation of reparative transcriptional, metabolic, and ECM pathways. Nonhealing tendons display persistent stress, disrupted fibrinolysis, and epigenetic dysregulation. Key molecular signals, including forkhead box O, histone demethylases, zinc transport, matrix metalloproteinases, and SERPINE1, represent promising biomarker candidates for risk stratification and targeted therapy. While transcriptomics remains investigational, these findings support a precision surgery approach, with future integration of molecular diagnostics to personalize treatment and reduce retear risk.