STABILIZATION OF INTERMOLECULAR CROSSLINKS OF COLLAGEN WITH AGEING

Scant evidence is at present available on the chemistry of the intermolecular crosslinks in collagen fibres. The sensitivity of the breaking load of the intact fibre to a variety of reagents particularly the β-amino thiols, has been studied as a measure of the stability of the inter-molecular crosslinks. Sensitivity to these reagents decreases rapidly with age in vivo, and also on in vitro ageing. It is proposed that labile bonds are first formed as intermediate crosslinks in collagen fibres, and are gradually stabilized with increasing age to give a permanent crosslink. Species differences in the sensitivity to these reagents might be accounted for by variations in the ability to effect stabilization of the intermediate. © 1969 S. Karger AG, Basel.