Early Tenocyte Cells (AxTP)

Early tenocyte cells are loosely organized and undergo condensation to form primary morphologically distinct tendons by E13.5. These cells are Scx-positive and already produce most of the proteins required to form mature tendon fibrils. At this stage, Tgf-beta signaling is responsible for maintenance of Scx-positive cells and in the absence of this signal, Scx-positive cells are lost by E12.5 and no tendons are formed.