Fig. 7. Schematic diagram describing the role of FGFR3 and lymphatics in acquired HO formation.
Col2+ LEC progenitors in the peritendineum as well as adjacent connective tissues adopt LEC fate in the traumatically injured Achilles tendon at the onset of HO development. Downregulated FGFR3 expression in LECs associated with inflammatory milieu inhibits local lymphatic formation via upregulating BMPR1a signaling, which further increases local inflammatory levels and subsequently aggravates HO pathogenesis.