Fibroblast specialization across microanatomy in a single-cell atlas of human Achilles tendon

American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 2026

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Authors: C. Cohen, Jolet Y. Mimpen, Alina Kurjan, Claudia Paul, Shreeya Sharma, Lorenzo Ramos-Mucci, Chinemerem T. Ikwuanusi, Ali Cenk Aksu, Tracy Boakye Serebour, Marina Nikolic, Kévin Rue-Albrecht, Christopher L. M. H. Gibbons
+11 more Duncan Whitwell, Thomas D. A. Cosker, Stephen Gwilym, Ather Siddiqi, Raja Bhaskara Rajasekaran, Harriet Branford-White, Adam P. Cribbs, P A Hulley, David Sims, Mathew J. Baldwin, Sarah J. B. Snelling
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00838.2025
Cited by: 1
References: 60

Abstract

We present the first spatially resolved single-cell atlas of the human Achilles tendon. By sampling across the microanatomy of the tendon from enthesis to muscle, we demonstrate changes in fibroblast composition across this transitional tissue. Distinct fibroblast subsets were discovered with specific transcriptomic signatures, and several were found in distinct spatial locations corresponding to putative functional roles in tendon and adjoining muscle. These findings demonstrate how cellular diversity across a transitional tissue may underlie microanatomical-specific roles.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Tendon Structure and Treatment Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms Shoulder Injury and Treatment

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
330
Issue
5
Pages
C1460–C1473
Publication date
1 April 2026
Language
EN