•Systematically evaluate the critical transitional stage for tendon maturation
•Uncover convergence of cell identities during tendon maturation
•An NGF-secreting Cd9+Cd271+ TSPC mediates the transition

•NGF/SHP2 pathway regulates tendon maturation

Summary

Tendon maturation lays the foundation for postnatal tendon development, its proper mechanical function, and regeneration, but the critical cell populations and the entangled mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, by integrating the structural, mechanical, and molecular properties, we show that post-natal days 7–14 are the crucial transitional stage for mouse tendon maturation. We decode the cellular and molecular regulatory networks at the single-cell level. We find that a nerve growth factor (NGF)-secreting Cd9+Cd271+ tendon stem/progenitor cell population mainly prompts conversion from neonate to adult tendon. Through single-cell gene regulatory network analysis, in vitro inhibitor identification, and in vivo tendon-specific Shp2 deletion, we find that SHP2 signaling is a regulator for tendon maturation. Our research comprehensively reveals the dynamic cell population transition during tendon maturation, implementing insights into the critical roles of the maturation-related stem cell population and SHP2 signaling pathway during tendon differentiation and regeneration.