Numerous diseases have been linked to genetic mutations that lead to reduced amounts or disorganization of arterial elastic fibres. Previous work has shown that mice with reduced amounts of elastin (Eln+/-) are able to live a normal lifespan through cardiovascular adaptations, including changes in haemodynamic stresses, arterial geometry and arterial wall mechanics. It is not known if the timel...

Myocardial extracellular matrix is organized into a complex arrangement of intercellular and pericellular fibres and fibrils that serves as a supporting framework for contracting cells. Recent evidence suggests that changes in ventricular shape and function occurring after ischaemic injury may be related to alterations of this matrix. In this report we describe the rapid and extensive loss of c...

The migration of human neutrophilic granulocytes in hydrated collagen lattices was studied by a combination of cinemicroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The basic pattern of cell migration in collagen was similar to that observed previously for these cells on inert material surfaces; i.e., a cycle of cell extension and cytoplasmic flow into the leading extension. In gen...

Organ failure secondary to fibrosis is the main cause of morbidity and death in patients with systemic sclerosis. Gastrointestinal tract dysmotility is a major visceral manifestation, clinically ranging from an asymptomatic form to severe paresis. Although the oesophagus is the most frequently affected part of the gastrointestinal tract, all other segments can be involved. The present study was...

Introduction The complex organization of collageneous fiber network in joint cartilage and its load conditioned behaviour determines the biomechanical properties of this tissue. It has been shown that the state of health of the cartilage has an influence on the deformation mechanisms of the collagen network under compressive load [1, 2]. Thus, the compression tests could be a successful tool to...

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a successful technique used to slow the progression of corneal ectatic disease, mainly keratoconus. It is able to achieve this aim with a single application of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and ultraviolet-A light to the corneal stroma where it results in crosslinks to form between the collagen fibres, resulting in corneal stiffening. We describe the different ...

Two aldimine bonds have been shown to be present as stabilizing cross-links in intact collagen fibres from soft tissues: dehydrohydroxylysinonorleucine as a major component and dehydrolysinonorleucine being present in trace quantities. In the highly insoluble collagens less dehydrohydroxylysinonorleucine is present but the proportion of dehydrolysinonorleucine increases. In elastin the latter a...