Connective Tissue Laboratory

Stretching of connective tissue is an important component of manual and movement-based therapies such as yoga. We have shown in animal models that gentle daily stretching reduces inflammation in local tissues and improves healing after an injury.

We are currently investigating the mechanisms by which stretching produces these beneficial effects, including the release of specialized pro-resolving mediators derived from dietary Ω-3 fatty acids.  We also are investigating whether the beneficial effects of stretching are impaired by commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

Fibroblasts are the cells that manufacture the proteins that make up the connective tissue matrix. The stiffness of connective tissue depends on the composition and arrangement of these proteins, as well as factors such as aging and inflammation. The stiffness of connective tissue is important, as stiff connective tissue can impair immune responses and promote the spreading of cancer cells.

We have shown that fibroblasts can decrease the stiffness of the matrix by regulating how tightly they pull on it. We want to investigate whether stretching can preserve this property of fibroblasts in aging animals and make them less susceptible to cancer.

Chronic and recurring musculoskeletal pain, especially back pain, is a source of frustration in many people’s lives and interferes with their ability to work and enjoy life. It is becoming clear that connective tissue may be the source of pain in many patients.

We have shown that people with chronic low back pain have abnormal thickening and decreased mobility of connective tissue in the back, possibly due to inflammation and changes in the way people move when their back hurts. Our future goal is to investigate whether this can be prevented or reversed with specific manual and movement based therapies directed at connective tissue.

So far, most studies investigating the effects of acupuncture have focused on the nervous system.  Our studies have shown that, in addition, acupuncture needles mechanically stimulate connective tissue and that manual manipulation of acupuncture needles produce local effects similar to that of stretching. This includes dose-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling and purinergic signaling in connective tissue fibroblasts.

We are studying whether mechanically-transduced signals are transmitted along connective tissue planes at a distance away from the acupuncture needle.