Translational targeting of inflammation and fibrosis in frozen shoulder: Molecular dissection of the T cell/IL-17A axis.

Frozen shoulder is a common fibroproliferative disease characterized by the insidious onset of pain and restricted range of shoulder movement with a significant socioeconomic impact. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for chronic inflammation and matrix remodeling in this prevalent fibrotic disorder remain unclear; however, increasing evidence implicates dysregulated immunobiology. IL-17A is a key cytokine associated with inflammation and tissue remodeling in numerous musculoskeletal diseases, and thus, we sought to determine the role of IL-17A in the immunopathogenesis of frozen shoulder.

Novel self-amplificatory loop between T cells and tenocytes as a driver of chronicity in tendon disease.

Objectives: Increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory mechanisms play a key role in chronic tendon disease. After observing T cell signatures in human tendinopathy, we explored the interaction between T cells and tendon stromal cells or tenocytes to define their functional contribution to tissue remodelling and inflammation amplification and hence disease perpetuation.

Methods: T cells were quantified and characterised in healthy and tendinopathic tissues by flow cytometry (FACS), imaging mass cytometry (IMC) and single cell RNA-seq.

Fibroblast activation and inflammation in frozen shoulder.

Introduction: Frozen shoulder is a common, fibro-proliferative disease characterised by the insidious onset of pain and progressively restricted range of shoulder movement. Despite the prevalence of this disease, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the pathogenesis of this debilitating disease. Previous studies have identified increased myofibroblast differentiation and proliferation, immune cell influx and dysregulated cytokine production.

The epidemiology of acromioclavicular joint excision.

Background: With the development of arthroscopic procedures such as subacromial decompression (ASAD) and rotator cuff repair (RCR), it is hypothesized that there may have been a similar rise in the performance of acromioclavicular joint excision (ACJE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of ACJE to examine incidence, surgical technique, age, gender of patients and associated procedures in an urban population.

Methods: A prospectively collected surgical database was retrospectively examined to identify patients undergoing ACJE.

Alarmins in Frozen Shoulder: A Molecular Association Between Inflammation and Pain.

Background: The pathophysiological mechanisms behind proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of dense collagen matrix in idiopathic frozen shoulder remain unclear. Alarmins (also known as danger signals) are endogenous molecules that are released into the extracellular milieu after infection or tissue injury and that signal cell and tissue damage.

Purpose: To investigate whether the presence of alarmins is higher in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder than in control subjects.