In osteoarthritis the integrity of articular cartilage is damaged, compromising the mechanical functioning, and the self-repair capability of the tissue. Both of these tissue functions derive from the properties of the macromolecules comprising the extensive extracellular matrix of adult articular cartilage. The goal of this project is to elucidate the roles of collagen and proteoglycan, the principal matrix macromolecules, in the biomechanical and homeostatic functioning of normal and osteoarthritic cartilage.
It aims to determine the molecular packing of collagen fibrils in normal and osteoarthritic cartilages from human femurs as a function of age, and to examine the relationship between the fibrillar structure and proteoglycan composition; to determine the pathways for the transport of cell nutrients and matrix precursors throughout articular cartilage in terms of the space filling structures of collagen and proteoglycan; and to determine the mechanisms by which collagen fibrils are deformed by osmotic and mechanical forces, with the view of characterizing at the molecular level the biomechanics of cartilage, and the factors regulating the self repair capabilities of cartilage cells. The research program will consist of x-ray diffraction studies of cartilages while in different physiological states in conjunction with a variety of biochemical and physiocochemical protocols.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR037604-03
Application #
3158242
Study Section
Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Study Section (ORTH)
Project Start
1986-08-01
Project End
1991-07-31
Budget Start
1988-08-01
Budget End
1989-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Connecticut
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry/Oral Hygn
DUNS #
City
Farmington
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06030
Yamauchi, M; Chandler, G S; Tanzawa, H et al. (1996) Cross-linking and the molecular packing of corneal collagen. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 219:311-5
Yamauchi, M; Katz, E P (1993) The post-translational chemistry and molecular packing of mineralizing tendon collagens. Connect Tissue Res 29:81-98
Katz, E P; David, C W (1992) Unique side-chain conformation encoding for chirality and azimuthal orientation in the molecular packing of skin collagen. J Mol Biol 228:963-9
Dziedzic-Goclawska, A; Toverud, S U; Kaminski, A et al. (1992) Decreased heterotopic osteogenesis in vitamin-D-deficient, but normocalcemic guinea pigs. Bone Miner 19:127-43
Volpi, M; Katz, E P (1991) On the adaptive structures of the collagen fibrils of bone and cartilage. J Biomech 24 Suppl 1:67-77
Maroudas, A; Wachtel, E; Grushko, G et al. (1991) The effect of osmotic and mechanical pressures on water partitioning in articular cartilage. Biochim Biophys Acta 1073:285-94
Katz, E P; David, C W (1990) Energetics of intrachain salt-linkage formation in collagen. Biopolymers 29:791-8
Katz, E P; Wachtel, E; Yamauchi, M et al. (1989) The structure of mineralized collagen fibrils. Connect Tissue Res 21:149-54;discussion 155-8