Influence of cross-link structure, density and mechanical properties in the mesoscale deformation mechanisms of collagen fibrils.

ABSTRACT: Collagen is a ubiquitous protein with remarkable mechanical properties. It is highly elastic, shows large fracture strength and enables substantial energy dissipation during deformation. Most of the connective tissue in humans consists of collagen fibrils composed of a staggered array of tropocollagen molecules, which are connected by intermolecular cross-links. In this study, we report a three-dimensional coarse-grained model of collagen and analyze the influence of enzymatic cross-links on the mechanics of collagen fibrils. Two representatives immature and mature cross-links are implemented in the mesoscale model using a bottom-up approach. By varying the number, type and mechanical properties of cross-links in the fibrils and performing tensile test on the models, we systematically inve

SUBMITTER: Depalle B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4653952 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature