Extrafibrillar proteoglycans osmotically regulate the molecular packing of collagen in cartilage.
The molecular packing density of collagen and hence the intrafibrillar water content appears to be regulated in cartilage by the osmotic pressure gradient existing between the extrafibrillar and the intrafibrillar compartments.
Katz
E P
EP
Wachtel
E J
EJ
Maroudas
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen