Evidence of the TNF-α System in the Human Achilles Tendon: Expression of TNF-α and TNF Receptor at both Protein and mRNA Levels in the Tenocytes

Abstract

This is the first evidence of the existence of the TNF-α system in the human Achilles tendon. Findings are confirmed at mRNA and protein levels as well as biochemically. The TNF-α system was in principle confined to the tenocytes. The connection between tenocyte morphology and the expression pattern of TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 suggests that the TNF-α system may be involved in tenocyte activation in Achilles tendinosis.