Abstract
Collagen is the major structural fiber found in mammalian tissues. It is a protein in the form of a triple-helix which is found in several subfamilies, the most abundant of which is the fiber forming group containing Types I, II and III. Type I collagen is found in tendons, skin, cornea, bone, lung and vessel walls. This collagen is thought to give rise to the high tensile strengths of collagen fibers in tissues; in addition, it is actively involved in other physiologic processes such mechanotransduction. However, the non-linear mechanical behavior and viscoelasticity of collagen fibers make analysis of the mechanical properties of tissues complicated. Mechanistically, during mechanical loading, a tensional increase in the D period is observed with increasing strain that is associated with: 1) molecular elongation at the triple-helical level of structure; 2) increases in the gap distance between the end of one triple-helix and the start of the next one in the microfibril; and 3) molecular slippage. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between collagen hierarchical structure and its non-linear mechanical properties. Using vibrational analysis and optical coherence tomography, it is hoped that the mechanical properties of collagenous tissues can be studied in vivo in order to better understand tissue mechanics and to be better able to offer early diagnosis and differentiation of different disease states.
Highlights
IntroductionCollagen fibers form the basic structural components of the extracellular matrix. F
Using vibrational analysis and optical coherence tomography, it is hoped that the mechanical properties of collagenous tissues can be studied in vivo in order to better understand tissue mechanics and to be better able to offer early diagnosis and differentiation of different disease states
Collagen fibers are the structural elements found in vertebrate tissues that
Summary
Collagen fibers form the basic structural components of the extracellular matrix. F. G. Shah (ECM) of vertebrates that serve to: store elastic energy during muscular deformation, transmit stored energy into joint movement, and transfer excess energy from the joint back to the attached muscles for dissipation [1]-[8]. Shah (ECM) of vertebrates that serve to: store elastic energy during muscular deformation, transmit stored energy into joint movement, and transfer excess energy from the joint back to the attached muscles for dissipation [1]-[8] They act as mechanotransducers by transferring stress borne by the musculoskeleton to the attached cells in order to regulate tissue metabolism, either up- or down, as a result of changes in mechanical loading [2]. The viscoelasticity of these tissues leads to non-linear behavior; recent studies have identified methods to analyze this behavior [1]-[8]
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