Collagen fibrillogenesis and mRNA levels in the maturing rabbit medial collateral ligament and patellar tendon

Collagen fibrillogenesis and mRNA levels in the maturing rabbit medial collateral ligament and patellar tendon

This study compared collagen fibril diameter and mRNA changes in a subset of molecules involved in collagen fibrillogenesis during postnatal development and at maturity of rabbit medial collateral ligament (MCL) and patellar tendon (PT). Tissue was analyzed by RT-PCR for mRNA levels and collagen fib...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Connective tissue research Vol. 45; no. 1; p. 11
Main Authors: Lo, Ian K Y, Marchuk, Linda L, Leatherbarrow, Kate E, Frank, Cyril B, Hart, David A
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England 01-01-2004
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Collateral Ligaments - diagnostic imaging
Collateral Ligaments - growth & development
Collateral Ligaments - metabolism
Fibrillar Collagens - biosynthesis
Fibrillar Collagens - genetics
Fibrillar Collagens - metabolism
Fibrillar Collagens - ultrastructure
Microscopy, Electron
Patella
Rabbits
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA - metabolism
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Tendons - growth & development
Tendons - metabolism
Tendons - ultrastructure
Ultrasonography
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Summary:This study compared collagen fibril diameter and mRNA changes in a subset of molecules involved in collagen fibrillogenesis during postnatal development and at maturity of rabbit medial collateral ligament (MCL) and patellar tendon (PT). Tissue was analyzed by RT-PCR for mRNA levels and collagen fibril diameters were measured using transmission electron microscopy. Collagen fibril diameters increased from 3 to 14 weeks with mean fibril diameters of PT significantly greater than MCL at 9, 12, and 14 weeks and maturity. RT-PCR analysis showed decorin and lumican mRNA levels were significantly higher in PT than MCL at all ages. Type I collagen, MMP-11, and procollagen C proteinase enhancer mRNA levels also were higher in the PT than the MCL between 3 and 14 weeks but not at maturity. Further understanding of collagen fibrillogenesis by studying protein synthesis and matrix turnover during maturation may provide insight into the mechanism(s) by which fibrils accrete in maturing connective tissues and how they are altered during healing following injury.
ISSN:0300-8207
DOI:10.1080/03008200490278070