Fabian S. Passini

HIF1α gates tendon response to overload and drives tendinopathy independently of vascular recruitment

Mechanical overload activates hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1a) in tenocytes to drive tendinopathy independently of VEGFA-mediated vascular ingrowth, and tenocyte Hif1a deletion prevents overload-induced tendon degeneration in mice.

Matrix maturation and cytoskeletal tension define strain thresholds for stretch-induced calcium signaling in human tendon cells

This study shows that ECM maturation and cytoskeletal tension determine the strain threshold for stretch-induced calcium signaling in human tendon cells.

Piezo2 in sensory neurons influences systemic and adipose tissue metabolism

This study shows that Piezo2 in sensory neurons regulates brown and beige fat metabolism, preventing systemic hypermetabolism and improving insulin sensitivity.

Wnt/β-catenin is required for proprioception by coordinating the multi-compartment development of muscle spindles

This study shows that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is essential for proprioception by coordinating the development of muscle spindle components through both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms.

Tendon response to matrix unloading is determined by the patho-physiological niche

This study shows that tendon tissue response to mechanical unloading depends on the simulated physiological niche, with oxidative stress driving proteolytic matrix breakdown.