Open AccessAn enzymatically induced structural transformation in articular cartilage. its significance with respect to matrix breakdown
Author(s) -
Broom Neil D.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780310209
Subject(s) - articular cartilage , cartilage , transformation (genetics) , bone matrix , matrix (chemical analysis) , cartilage oligomeric matrix protein , medicine , chemistry , osteoarthritis , materials science , anatomy , pathology , composite material , biochemistry , alternative medicine , gene
It was demonstrated in this study that the 3‐dimensional, “pseudo‐random” architecture of collagen in the general matrix of normal cartilage can be transformed enzymatically into a radial array of fibril aggregates or fibers. By first degrading the proteoglycans and then attacking the collagen, it is possible to produce a collagenous structure almost identical to that observed in matrices exhibiting both nonprogressive softening and osteoarthritic changes, and in matrices subjected to dynamic overloading. This structural transformation is explained as a breakdown in the fibril interlinking system.