Fig. 5.

Inhibition of PDGFR signaling prevents the expression of angiogenesis, ECM synthesis and remodeling, cell specification and proliferation, and cell migration and mechanotransduction genes in plantaris tendons subjected to mechanical overload. A–E: quantitative expression of angiogenesis (A), ECM synthesis (B), MMPs and TIMPs (C), cell specification and proliferation (D), and mechanotransduction (E) genes in 3- and 10-day overloaded plantaris tendons, treated with vehicle or PDGFR inhibitor. Target gene expression was normalized to the stable housekeeping gene peptidylprolyl isomerase D (PPID), and further normalized to plantaris tendons that were not subjected to synergist ablation. Values are means ± SD; n ≥ 5 tendons for each group. Differences between groups were tested using a two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05) followed by Tukey’s post hoc sorting: different (P < 0.05) from a, 3D vehicle; b, 3D PDGFR inhibitor; c, 10D vehicle.