# Role of regulatory T cells in tendon regeneration

> **NIH NIH F31** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $45,520

## Abstract

Summary
Achilles tendinopathy is a common degenerative change seen in athletes and elderly
individuals. Tendons have limited regenerative capacity and heal via the formation of a
disorganized, fibrotic scar. Surgical options for tendinopathy are often ineffective and rates of re-
injury after surgical intervention are high. While the clinical changes associated with
tendinopathy are well characterized, the mechanisms that underpin tendon healing remain
poorly understood. In an effort to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control
tendon healing, our lab has developed a regenerative model of tendon healing in neonatal mice
to complement existing fibrotic models of tendon healing in adult mice. Interestingly, a growing
body of evidence has demonstrated that neonatal immunity uniquely supports a pro-
regenerative, anti-fibrotic phenotype. Preliminary work from our lab similarly suggests that the
immune response is critical to tendon healing. Moreover, neonatal response to injury in tendon
differs dramatically from adult, and Tregs may underlie this difference in immune landscape.
Therefore, we hypothesize that tendon specific Tregs involved in neonatal regeneration
represent a special population of Tregs, unique in their capacity to promote regeneration (Aim
1). Next, we hypothesize that Tregs are necessary for neonatal tendon regeneration (Aim 2),
and that establishment of a neonatal immune landscape in adult mice using dexamethasone,
can rescue tendon regeneration in adults (Aim 3).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9911064
- **Project number:** 1F31AR076905-01
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Varun Arvind
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $45,520
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-27 → 2023-02-26

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9911064

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9911064, Role of regulatory T cells in tendon regeneration (1F31AR076905-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9911064. Licensed CC0.

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