The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides core support which is essential for the cell and tissue architectural development. The role of ECM in many pathological conditions has been well established and ECM-related abnormalities leading to serious consequences have been identified. Though much has been explored in regards to the role of ECM in soft tissue associated pathologies, very little is known about its role in inflammatory disorders in tendon. In this study, we performed
microRNA (
miRNA) expression analysis in the long head of the human shoulder biceps tendon to identify key genes whose expression was altered during
inflammation in patients with glenohumeral
arthritis. We identified differential regulation of
matrix metalloproteinases (
MMPs) that could be critical in
collagen type replacement during
tendinopathy. The
miRNA profiling showed consistent results between the groups and revealed significant changes in the expression of seven different
miRNAs in the inflamed tendons. Interestingly, all of these seven
miRNAs were previously reported to have either a direct or indirect role in regulating the ECM organization in other pathological disorders. In addition, these
miRNAs were also found to alter the expression levels of
MMPs, which are the key matrix degrading
enzymes associated with ECM-related abnormalities and pathologies. To our knowledge, this is the first report which identifies specific
miRNAs associated with
inflammation and the matrix reorganization in the tendons. Furthermore, the findings also support the potential role of these
miRNAs in altering the
collagen type ratio in the tendons during
inflammation which is accompanied with differential expression of
MMPs.