The "other" 15-40%: The Role of Non-Collagenous Extracellular Matrix Proteins and Minor Collagens in Tendon.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular matrix (ECM) determines the physiological function of all tissues, including musculoskeletal tissues. In tendon, ECM provides overall tissue architecture, which is tailored to match the biomechanical requirements of their physiological function, that is, force transmission from muscle to bone. Tendon ECM also constitutes the microenvironment that allows tendon-resident cells to maintain their phenotype and that transmits biomechanical forces from the macro-level to the micro-level. The structure and function of adult tendons is largely determined by the hierarchical organization of collagen type I fibrils. However, non-collagenous ECM proteins such as small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), ADAMTS proteases, and cross-linking enzymes play critical roles in collagen fibrillo

SUBMITTER: Taye N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6917864 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature