Healing the tendon-to-bone attachment to reduce repair failures
Formation of a functional tendon enthesis during development and healing
This work will learn how the specialized tendon-to-bone attachment forms and heals to help adults with tendon tears such as rotator cuff or ACL-related injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259518 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the specific cells that build the enthesis (the tendon-to-bone connection) during development and after injury. They will examine the genes and signaling pathways, including hedgehog signaling, that tell those cells to mature and mineralize. Experiments will use laboratory models of enthesis formation and healing to map the transcriptional controls. The findings are intended to guide future stem-cell or biologic treatments to rebuild a functional attachment after surgical repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future trials based on this work would likely enroll adults with tendon-to-bone injuries such as rotator cuff tears or tendon injuries around the knee (ACL-related tendon problems).
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to tendon-to-bone healing or those needing immediate emergency surgery would not directly benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to therapies that rebuild a stronger tendon-to-bone attachment and lower pain and re-tear rates after repairs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have identified enthesis stem cells and hedgehog's role in mineralization, but using transcriptional networks to guide patient therapies is relatively new and largely untested clinically.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomopoulos, Stavros — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Thomopoulos, Stavros
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.