title: Collagen fibrillogenesis and mRNA levels in the maturing rabbit medial collateral ligament and patellar tendon.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. ikylo@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Ian K Y
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Marchuk
authors.forename: Kate E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Leatherbarrow
authors.forename: Cyril B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010329:Patella; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013710:Tendons / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D024022:Fibrillar Collagens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA