ArticleJournal of structural biology: X2023
Heterotopic mineral deposits in intact rat Achilles tendons are characterized by a unique fiber-like structure.
Article in Journal of structural biology: X, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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7 citing papers in PubMed, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- Three-Dimensional Characterization of the Collagen-Hydroxyapatite Interaction During Heterotopic Ossification in Healing Rat Achilles Tendons.Small science · 2026Article
- Sixteen weeks of high-speed treadmill running is insufficient to induce Achilles tendinopathy in a rat model.American journal of physiology. Cell physiology · 2025Article
- Moderate- and High-Speed Treadmill Running Exercise Have Minimal Impact on Rat Achilles Tendon.Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · 2025Article
- Ectopic calcifications in the musculoskeletal field: the basis for preventive and curative pharmacological strategies.Clinical rheumatology · 2025Review
- Predictive Neuromarker Patterns for Calcification Metaplasia in Early Tendon Healing.Veterinary sciences · 2024Article
- Elemental and Structural Characterization of Heterotopic Ossification during Achilles Tendon Healing Provides New Insights on the Formation Process.ACS biomaterials science & engineering · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Heterotopic mineralization entails pathological mineral formation inside soft tissues. In human tendons mineralization is often associated with tendinopathies, tendon weakness and pain. In Achilles tendons, mineralization is considered to occur through heterotopic ossification (HO) primarily in response to tendon pathologies. However, refined details regarding HO deposition and microstructure are unknown. In this study, we characterize HO in intact rat Achilles tendons through high-resolution phase contrast enhanced synchrotron X-ray tomography. Furthermore, we test the potential of studying local tissue injury by needling intact Achilles tendons and the relation between tissue microdamage and HO. The results show that HO occurs in all intact Achilles tendons at 16 weeks of age. HO deposits are characterized by an elongated ellipsoidal shape and by a fiber-like internal structure which suggests that some collagen fibers have mineralized. The data indicates that deposition along fibers initiates in the pericellular area, and propagates into the intercellular area. Within HO deposits cells are larger and more rounded compared to tenocytes between unmineralized fibers, which are fewer and elongated. The results also indicate that multiple HO deposits may merge into bigger structures with time by accession along unmineralized fibers. Furthermore, the presence of unmineralized regions within the deposits may indicate that HOs are not only growing, but mineral resorption may also occur. Additionally, phase contrast synchrotron X-ray tomography allowed to distinguish microdamage at the fiber level in response to needling. The needle injury protocol could in the future enable to elucidate the relation between local inflammation, microdamage, and HO deposition.
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