Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41644521›Full record

ArticleBone research2026

Single cell atlas decodes the molecular dynamics of scar repair after human rotator cuff tear.

Yiming Qin, Guang Yang, Tao Zhang, Yuying Yang, Liyang Wan, Tao Zhang, Linfeng Wang, Zhiyu Hu, Zhu Dai, Hongkang Zhou and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Bone research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Yiming Qin *Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Guang Yang *Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.ORCID 0009-0007-2837-7538
Tao ZhangDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Yuying YangDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Liyang WanDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Tao ZhangDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Linfeng WangKey Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.
Zhiyu HuDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Zhu DaiDepartment of Orthopedics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.
Hongkang ZhouInstitute for Advanced Study, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Chengjun LiDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Jianzhong HuDepartment of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. jianzhonghu@csu.edu.cn.
Hongbin LuDepartment of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. hongbinlu@csu.edu.cn.ORCID 0000-0001-7749-3593

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 82272572
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Irreversible fibrotic scarring after rotator cuff tear (RCT) compromises the mechanical properties of the healing tendon, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the histological features of human RCT scars, characterized by disruption of tendon architecture, disorganized collagen fibrils, and imbalance in type I/III collagen ratios and fibril diameters. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of tendon stumps from patients with RCT, we deconvolved the cellular and molecular landscape of the fibrotic scarring microenvironment. Heterogenous pro-fibrotic subclusters were identified and validated to participate into scar formation, including tendon stem cell, senescent tenocyte, SOX9-driven pro-fibrotic macrophage, and pro-fibrotic endothelial cells undergoing endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Furthermore, we found that osteopontin and TGF-β signaling were key drivers of extracellular matrix deposition, and their blockade ameliorated fibrotic scarring after RCT. Collectively, our study dissected the dynamic scarring microenvironment in human RCT and highlights potential therapeutic targets for preventing pathological scar formation.

Indexed as

CicatrixRotator Cuff InjuriesSingle-Cell AnalysisWound HealingEndothelial-Mesenchymal TransitionExtracellular MatrixFemaleFibrosisHumansMaleRotator CuffTransforming Growth Factor betaTransforming Growth Factor beta

Identifiers

PMID41644521
PMCPMC12877062

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.