COLLAGEN STRUCTURE UNDER TENSION W/ DEPTH AND AGE VARIATION IN BOVINE CARTILAGE

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 软骨基质成分的含量和组织随着年龄和关节表面垂直深度的不同而变化。这种结构变化与软骨的各向异性力学特性有关。然而，大多数胶原的结构研究都是在非应力软骨上进行的，而且在加载过程中胶原结构发生的任何变化都没有得到很好的表征。确定张力对胶原原纤维结构的影响将有助于阐明软骨组织结构与其生物力学功能的关系。本研究的目的是阐明不同深度和年龄的牛膝软骨在拉伸过程中胶原结构的变化。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Cartilage matrix components have been shown to vary in content and organization with age and vertical depth from the articular surface. This structural variation has been correlated to the anisotropic mechanical properties of cartilage. However, most of the structural studies of collagen have been performed on unstressed cartilage, and any changes that occur in the collagen structure during load have not been well-characterized. Determining the effect of tension on collagen fibril structure would help elucidate how cartilage tissue structure relates to its biomechanical function. The objective of this study is to elucidate changes in collagen structure in tension with varying depths and ages of bovine knee cartilage.