2. Academic Validation
  3. Targeting Caveolin-1 for enhanced rotator cuff repair: findings from single-cell RNA sequencing

Targeting Caveolin-1 for enhanced rotator cuff repair: findings from single-cell RNA sequencing

  • Cell Death Discov. 2025 Mar 5;11(1):88. doi: 10.1038/s41420-025-02359-2.
Shanhong Fang 1 2 3 4,  Songye Wu 1 2 3 4,  Peng Chen 5 6 7 8
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China.
  • 2 Department of Sports Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China.
  • 3 Fujian Orthopaedics Research Institute, Fuzhou, PR China.
  • 4 Fujian Orthopedic Bone and Joint Disease and Sports Rehabilitation Clinical Medical Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China.
  • 5 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China. chenpeng1073@fjmu.edu.cn.
  • 6 Department of Sports Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China. chenpeng1073@fjmu.edu.cn.
  • 7 Fujian Orthopaedics Research Institute, Fuzhou, PR China. chenpeng1073@fjmu.edu.cn.
  • 8 Fujian Orthopedic Bone and Joint Disease and Sports Rehabilitation Clinical Medical Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China. chenpeng1073@fjmu.edu.cn.
PMID: 40044676 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-025-02359-2
Abstract

Rotator cuff injury (RCI), a prevalent cause of shoulder pain and disability, often leads to significant functional impairments due to adipocyte infiltration into the damaged tissue. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a critical membrane protein, plays a significant role in adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism. This study utilized single-cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the heterogeneity of cell subpopulations in RCI tissues and assess the regulatory effects of Cav-1. The findings revealed that Cav-1 expression negatively correlates with adipogenic activity, and its modulation through exercise or targeted therapies can significantly reduce adipocyte infiltration and enhance tissue repair. Further, Cav-1 knockout and overexpression models demonstrated the protein's impact on key genes involved in adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism, such as Scd1, fatty acid synthase (FASN), and Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor gamma (Pparg). Animal studies corroborated these results, showing that exercise intervention increased Cav-1 expression, decreased adipocyte infiltration, and promoted structural repair. These insights suggest that targeting Cav-1 could offer a novel therapeutic strategy for improving RCI outcomes.

Figures
Products