Fig. 2
From: Challenges and perspectives of tendon-derived cell therapy for tendinopathy: from bench to bedside
Cell differentiation at enthesis, myotendinous junction (MTJ) and midsubstance of tendon. Mesenchymal stem cells/mesodermal cells are capable of differentiating into fibroblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts and tenoblasts (premature tenocytes). RED panel shows the formation of MTJ by muscle and tendon interaction via SLIT/ROBO signalling. BLUE panel shows the differentiation of tendon precursor cells into mature tenocytes via multiple steps (pre-tenoblasts and tenoblasts) by upregulation of SCX, MKX, TNMD and/or TNC at different stages. YELLOW panel shows the SCX + /SOX9 + bi-fated progenitors at the putative enthesis regions and the progenitors are segregated into SCX + /SOX9 + cells to become tendon, chondrocytes and osteoblasts in the enthesis