Identification of Inflammatory Mediators in Tendinopathy Using a Murine Subacromial Impingement Model

Subacromial impingement is associated with a spectrum of disorders—including rotator cuff disease—but their relationship is complex. We have established a novel murine model of subacromial impingement to study supraspinatus tendinopathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in gene expression in this murine shoulder impingement model to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of tendinopathy. Twenty-eight C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. All mice underwent bilateral surgery with insertion of a small metal clip in the subacromial space or a sham procedure. The supraspinatus tendons underwent histological analyses, biomechanical testing, and RNA extraction for multiplex gene expression analysis (NanoString, Seattle, WA). Histology demonstrated increased cellularity and disorganized collagen fibers of the supraspinatus tendon in the clip impingement group. Mean load to failure (5.20 vs. 1.50 N, p < 0.001) and mean stiffness (4.95 vs. 1.47 N/mm, p < 0.001) were lower in the impingement group than the sham group. NanoString analyses revealed 111 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the impingement and sham groups. DEGs of interest included Mmp3 (expression ratio [ER]: 2.68, p = 0.002), Tgfb1 (ER: 1.76, p = 0.01), Col3a1 (ER: 1.66, p = 0.03), and Tgfbr2 (ER: 1.53, p = 0.01). Statement of clinical significance: We identified 111 DEGs that may contribute to the development of tendinopathy in this model. Further studies of these specific genes will allow identification of their roles in the initiation and regulation of tendon damage, and their potential to serve as novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of rotator cuff disease.