Elasticity in extracellular matrix 'shape modules' of tendon, cartilage, etc. A sliding proteoglycan-filament model

被引:191
作者
Scott, JE [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Manchester, Sch Med, Dept Chem Morphol, Manchester M13 9PT, Lancs, England
来源
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON | 2003年 / 553卷 / 02期
关键词
D O I
10.1113/jphysiol.2003.050179
中图分类号
Q189 [神经科学];
学科分类号
071006 ;
摘要
Connective tissues (CTs), which define bodily shape, must respond quickly, robustly and reversibly to deformations caused by internal and external stresses. Fibrillar (elastin, collagen) elasticity under tension depends on molecular and supramolecular mechanisms. A second intra-/inter-molecular pair, involving proteoglycans (PGs), is proposed to cope with compressive stresses. PG interfibrillar bridges ('shape modules'), supramolecular structures ubiquitously distributed throughout CT extracellular matrices (ECMs), are examined for potential elastic properties. L-iduronate residues in shape module decoran PGs are suggested to be molecular springs, cycling through alternative conformations. On a larger scale, anionic glycosaminoglycan (AGAG) interfibrillar bridges in shape modules are postulated to take part in a sliding filament (dashpot-like) process, which converts local compressions into disseminated tensile strains. The elasticity of fibrils and AGAGs, manifest at molecular and larger-scale levels, provides a graduated and smooth response to stresses of varying degrees. NMR and rheo NMR, computer modelling, electron histochemical, biophysical and chemical morphological evidence for the proposals is reviewed.
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页码:335 / 343
页数:9
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