What is a significant challenge in tendon tissue engineering?

Translating in vitro results to in vivo success is a significant challenge in tendon tissue engineering because laboratory conditions often cannot fully replicate the complex physiological environment of living organisms. In vitro models may show promising tissue formation, cell behaviors, or mechanical properties; however, when these constructs are implanted into a living system, they often encounter variables like host immune responses, nutrient availability, and biomechanical forces that were not present in the laboratory. These factors can influence the viability, integration, and functionality of the engineered tendon tissue, leading to discrepancies between the initial results obtained in controlled settings and the outcomes observed in actual biological systems. This gap highlights the importance of developing more robust methods that can effectively bridge this transition to ensure successful healing and restoration of tendon function in vivo.