title: Characterization of collagen fibrils after equine suspensory ligament injury: an ultrastructural and biochemical approach.
abstract: Suspensory ligament (SL) injuries are an important cause of lameness in horses. The mechanical properties of connective tissue in normal and pathological ligaments are mainly related to fibril morphology, as well as collagen content and types. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, using biochemical and ultrastructural approaches, the alterations in collagen fibrils after injury. Eight Warmblood horses with visible signs of injury in only one forelimb SL were selected and specimens were examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Collagen types I, III and V were purified by differential salt precipitation after collagen extraction with acetic acid containing pepsin. TEM revealed abnormal organization as well as alterations in the diameter and shape of fibrils after SL injury. The bands corresponding to types I, III and V collagen were assessed by densitometry after sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Densitometric analysis indicated that the proportions of type III and type V collagen were higher (P < 0.001) in damaged tissues compared with normal tissues with a mean increase of 20.9% and 17.3%, respectively. Concurrently, a decrease (P < 0.001) in type I collagen within damaged tissues was recorded with a mean decrease of 15.2%. These alterations could be the hallmark of a decrease in the tissue quality and mechanical properties of the ligament. The findings provide new insight for subsequent research on tissue regeneration that may lead to the development of future treatment strategies for SL injury.
authors: Anatomy Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. Electronic address: mvet79@hotmail.com.
authors: M K
authors: MK
authors: Shikh Alsook
authors: Anatomy Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gabriel
authors: Anatomy Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Salouci
authors: Histology Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Piret
authors: Pathology Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Alzamel
authors: Sustainable Animal Production Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Moula
authors: CIRALE -14430 Goustranville, Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris, France.
authors: J-M
authors: JM
authors: Denoix
authors: Histology Unit, FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Antoine
authors: FARAH Research Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Baise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D006736:Horses; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen
keywords: Collagen fibrils; SDS-PAGE; Suspensory ligament; TEM