Biochemical And Anisotropical Properties Of Tendons

Tendons are formed by dense connective tissue composed of an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) that is constituted mainly of collagen molecules, which are organized into fibrils, fibers, fiber bundles and fascicles helicoidally arranged along the largest axis of the tendon. The biomechanical properties of tendons are directly related to the organization of the collagen molecules that aggregate to become a super-twisted cord. In addition to collagen, the ECM of tendons is composed of non-fibrillar components, such as proteoglycans and non-collagenous glycoproteins. The capacity of tendons to resist mechanical stress is directly related to the structural organization of the ECM. Collagen is a biopolymer and presents optical anisotropies, such as birefringence and linear dichroism, that are important optical properties in the characterization of the supramolecular organization of the fibers. The objective of this study was to present a review of the composition and organization of the ECM of tendons and to highlight the importance of the anisotropic optical properties in the study of alterations in the ECM. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.432-3205214Ahtikoski, A.M., Koskinen, S.O.A., Virtanen, P., Kovanen, V., Risteli, J., Takala, T.E.S., Synthesis and degradation of type IV collagen in rat skeletal muscle during immobilization in shortened and lengthened positions (2003) Acta Physiol. Scand., 177, pp. 473-481Aldrovani, M., Guaraldo, A.M., Vidal, B.C., Optical anisotropies in corneal stroma collagen fibers from diabetic spontaneous mice (2007) Vision Res., 47 (26), pp. 3229-3237Alexander, R.M., Energy-saving mechanisms in walking and running (1991) J. Exp. Biol., 160, pp. 55-69Alexander, R.M., Bennet-Clark, H.C., Storage of elastic strain energy in muscle and other tissues (1997) Nature, 265, pp. 114-117Alhadlaq, H., Xia, Y., Moody, J., Matyas, J., Detecting structural changes in early experimental osteoarthritis of tibial cartilage by microscopic magnetic resonance imaging and polarised light microscopy (2004) Ann. Rheum. Dis., 63 (6), pp. 709-717Almeida, F.M., Tomiosso, T.C., Biancalana, A., Mattiello-Rosa, S.M., Vidal, B.C., Gomes, L., Pimentel, E.R., Effects of stretching on morphological and biochemical aspects of the extracellular matrix of the rat calcaneal tendon (2010) Cell Tissue Res., 342, pp. 97-105Appleyard, R.C., Ghosh, P., Swain, M.V., Biomechanical, histological and immunohistological studies of patellar cartilage in an ovine model of osteoarthritis induced by lateral meniscectomy (1999) Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 7, pp. 281-294Aquino, C.F., Viana, S.O., Fonseca, S.T., Biomechanical behavior and response of biological tissues to stress and immobilization (2005) Physiother. Mov., 18 (2), pp. 35-43Aro, A.A., Vidal, B.C., Tomiosso, T.C., Matiello-Rosa, S.M.G., Gomes, L., Pimentel, E.R., Structural and biochemical analysis of the effect of immobilization followed by stretching on the calcaneal tendon of rats (2008) Connect. Tissue Res., 49, pp. 443-454Banes, A.J., Weinhold, P., Yang, X., Tsuzaki, M.D.D.S., Bynum, D.M.D., Bottlang, M.B.S., Brown, T., Gap junctions regulate responses of tendon cell ex vivo to mechanical loading (1999) Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res., 367, pp. 356-370Bedi, A., Fox, A.J., Harris, P.E., Deng, X.H., Ying, L., Warren, R.F., Rodeo, S.A., Diabetes mellitus impairs tendon-bone healing after rotator cuff repair (2010) J. Shoulder Elbow Surg., 19 (7), pp. 978-988Benevides, G.P., Pimentel, E.R., Toyama, M., Novello, J.C., Marangoni, S., Gomes, L., Biochemical and biomechanical analysis of tendons of caged and penned chickens (2004) Connect. Tissue Res., 45, pp. 206-215Benjamim, M., Ralphs, J.R., The cell and development biology of tendons and ligaments (2000) Int. Rev. Cytol., 196, pp. 85-130Benjamin, M., Tyers, R.N.S., Ralphs, J.R., Age-related changes in tendon fibrocartilage (1991) J. Anat., 179, pp. 127-136Benoit, A.M., Naoun, K., Louis-Dorr, V., Mala, L., Naspiller, A., Linear dichroism of the retinal nerve fiber layer expressed with mueller matrices (2001) Appl. Opt., 40 (4), pp. 565-569Biancalana, A., Velloso, L.A., Gomes, L., Obesity affects collagen fibril diameter and mechanical properties of tendons in zucker rats (2010) Connect. Tissue Res., 51, pp. 171-178Binneboesel, M., Klink, C., Krones, C., Jansen, M., Cloer, C., Oettinger, A., Schumpelick, V., Otto, J., Erythropoietin (EPO) influences colonic anastomotic healing in a rat model by modulating collagen metabolism (2010) J. Surg. Res., 163 (2), pp. 67-72Birk, D.E., Hahn, R.A., Linsemayer, C.Y., Zycband, E.I., Characterization of fibril segments from chicken embryo cornea, dermis and tendon (1996) Matrix Biol., 15, pp. 111-118Bloch, R.J., Capetanaki, Y., O'Neill, A., Reed, P., Williams, M.W., Resneck, W.G., Porter, N.C., Ursitti, J.A., Costameres: repeating structures at the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle (2002) Clin. Orthop., 403, pp. 203-210Borges, L.F., Gutierrez, P.S., Marana, H.R.C., Taboga, S.R., Picrosirius-polarization staining method as an efficient histopathological tool for collagenolysis detection in vesical prolapse lesions (2007) Micron, 38, pp. 580-583Bosch, G., Moleman, M., Barneveld, A., van Weeren, P.R., van Schie, H.T., The effect of platelet-rich plasma on the neovascularization of surgically created equine superficial digital flexor tendon lesions (2010) Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports, , March 10 [Epub ahead of print]Braga-Vilela, A.S., Pimentel, E.R., Marangoni, S., Toyama, M.H., Vidal, B.C., Extracellular matrix of porcine pericardium: biochemistry and collagen architecture (2008) J. Membr. Biol., 221, pp. 15-25Bulheller, B.M., Nodger, A., Hirst, J.D., Circular and linear dichroism of proteins (2007) Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 9 (17), pp. 2020-2025Burridge, K., Chrzanowska-Wodnicka, M., Focal adhesions, contractility and signaling (1996) Annu. Rev. Cell. Dev. Biol., 12, pp. 463-518Carragher, N.O., Levkau, B., Ross, R., Raines, E.W., Degraded collagen fragments promote rapid disassembly of smooth muscle focal adhesions that correlate with cleavage of pp125FAK, paxillin and talin (1999) J. Cell. Biol., 147, pp. 619-629Carroll, C.C., Dickinson, J.M., Haus, J.M., Lee, G.A., Hollon, C.J., Aagaard, P., Magnusson, S.P., Trapp, T.A., Influence of aging on the in vivo properties of human patellar tendon (2008) J Appl. Physiol., 105 (6), pp. 1907-1915Carson, J.A., Wei, L., Integrin signaling potential for mediating gene expression in hypertrophying skeletal muscle (2000) J. Appl. Physiol., 88, pp. 337-343Carvalho, H.F., Felisbino, S.L., Covizi, D.Z., Della Colleta, H.H.M., Gomes, L., Structure and proteoglycan composition of specialized regions of the elastic tendon of the chicken wing (2000) Cell Tissue Res., 300, pp. 435-446Carvalho, H.F., Vidal, B.C., Cell types and evidence for traumatic cell death in a pressure-bearing tendon of Rana catesbeiana (1994) Tissue Cell., 26 (6), pp. 841-848Carvalho, H.F., Felisbino, S.L., Vogel, K., Douglas, K., Identification, content and distribution of type VI collagen in bovine tendons (2006) Cell Tissue Res., 325 (2), pp. 315-324Cassim, J.Y., Tobias, O.S., Birefringence of muscle proteins and the problem of structural birefringence (1968) Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 168, pp. 462-471Chicurel, M.E., Chen, C.S., Ingber, D.E., Cellular control lies in the balance of forces (1998) Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol., 10, pp. 232-239Chiquet, M., Regulation of extracellular matrix gene expression by mechanical stress (1999) Matrix Biol., 18, pp. 417-426Chiquet, M., Matthisson, M., Koch, M., Tannheimer, M., Chiquet-Ehrisman, R., Regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis by mechanical stress (1996) Biochem. Cell. Biol., 74, pp. 737-744Chiquet, M., Renedo, A.S., Huber, F., Flück, M., How do fibroblasts translate mechanical signals into changes in extracellular matrix production? (2003) Matrix Biol., 22, pp. 73-80Comper, W.D., Extracellular matrix: tissue function (1996) Tendon and Ligaments, 1, pp. 303-327. , Harwood Academic, AmsterdamCook, J.L., Bass, S.L., Black, J.E., Hormone therapy is associated with smaller Achilles tendon diameter in active post-menopausal women (2007) Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports, 17 (2), pp. 128-132Covizi, D.Z., Felisbino, S.L., Gomes, L., Pimentel, E.R., Carvalho, H.F., Regional adaptations in three rat tendons (2001) Tissue Cell, 33 (5), pp. 483-490DeMaio, M., Paine, R., Drez, D.J., Achilles tendonitis-sports (1995) Med. Rehabil. Ser., 18, pp. 195-204De Oliveira, R.R., De Oliveira, A.L.B., De Castro Silveira, P.V., Da Silva, R.J., De Moraes, S.R.A., Alterations of tendons in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review (2010) Diabetic Med.De Oliveira, R.R., de Lira, K.D., Silveira, P.V., Coutinho, M.P., Medeiros, M.N., Teixeira, M.F., de Moraes, S.R., Mechanical properties of achilles tendon in rats induced to experimental diabetes (2011) Ann. Biomed. Eng., 39 (5), pp. 1528-1534Derwin, K.A., Soslowsky, L.J., Kimura, J.H., Plaas, A.H., Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycan fine structures in the mouse tail tendon fascicle (2001) J. Orthop. Res., 19, pp. 269-277Doessing, S., Heinemeier, K.M., Holm, L., Mackey, A.L., Schjerling, P., Rennie, M., Smith, K., Kjaer, M., Growth hormone stimulates the collagen synthesis in human tendon and skeletal muscle without affecting myofibrillar protein synthesis (2010) J. Physiol., 588 (2), pp. 341-351Douglas, T., Heinemann, S., Bierbaum, S., Scharnweber, D., Worch, H., Fibrillogenesis of collagen types I, II, and III with small leucine-rich proteoglycans decorin and biglycan (2006) Biomacromolecules, 7 (8), pp. 2388-2393D'Souza, D., Patel, K., Involvement of long- and short-range signalling during early tendon development (1999) Anat. Embryol., 200, pp. 367-375Dudhia, J., Scott, C.M., Draper, E.R., Heinegård, D., Pitsillides, A.A., Smith, R.K., Aging enhances a mechanically-induced reduction in tendon strength by an active process involving matrix metalloproteinase activity (2007) Aging Cell., 6 (4), pp. 547-556Esquisatto, M.A.M., Joazeiro, P.P., Pimentel, E.R., Gomes, L., Ultrastructural characteristics of tensional regions in tendons from rats of different ages (2003) Braz. J. Morphol. Sci., 20 (2), pp. 109-114Esquisatto, M.A.M., Joazeiro, P.P., Pimentel, E.R., Gomes, L., The effect of age on the structure and composition of rat tendon fibrocartilage (2007) Cell Biol. Int., 31, pp. 570-577Evanko, S.P., Vogel, K.G., Ultrastructure and proteoglycan composition in the developing fibrocartilaginous region of bovine tendon (1990) Matrix, 10 (6), pp. 420-436Eyre, D.R., Paz, M.A., Gallop, P.M., Crosslinks in collagen and elastin (1984) Annu. Rev. Biochem., 53, pp. 717-748Farris, A.B., Adams, C.D., Brousaides, N., Della Pelle, P.A., Collins, A.B., Moradi, E., Smith, R.N., Colvin, R.B., Morphometric and visual evaluation of fibrosis in renal biopsies (2011) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 22 (1), pp. 176-186Feitosa, V.L.C., Esquisatto, M.A.M., Joazeiro, P.P., Gomes, L., Felisbino, S.L., Pimentel, E.R., Variations in the glycosaminoglycans content, swelling properties and morphological aspects of different regions of the superficial digital flexor tendon of pigs (2002) Cell. Mol. Biol., 48, pp. 359-369Feitosa, V.L.C., Vidal, B.C., Pimentel, E.R., Optical anisitropy of a pig tendon under compression (2002) J. Anat., 200 (1), pp. 105-110Feitosa, V.L.C., Esquisatto, M.A.M., Joazeiro, P.P., Felisbino, S.L., Pimentel, E.R., Physicochemical and structural analysis of three regions of the deep digital flexor tendon of pigs (2005) Braz. J. Morphol. Sci., 22 (2), pp. 113-119Feitosa, V.L.C., Reis, F.P., Esquisatto, M.A.M., Joazeiro, P.P., Vidal, B.C., Pimentel, E.R., Comparative ultrastructural analysis of different regions of two digital flexor tendons of pigs (2006) Micron, 37, pp. 518-525Felisbino, S.L., Carvalho, H.F., Identification na distribution type VI collagen in tendon fibrocartilages (1999) J. Submicrosc. Cytol. Pathol., 31 (2), pp. 187-195Fontana, K., Almeida, F.M., Tomiosso, T.C., Pimentel, E.R., Cruz Höfling, M.A., Effect of high intensity aerobic exercise and mesterolone on remodeling of Achilles tendon of C57BL/6 transgenic mice (2010) Cell Tissue Res., 339, pp. 411-420Fox, A.J., Bedi, A., Deng, X.H., Ying, L., Harris, P.E., Warren, R.F., Rodeo, S.A., Diabetes mellitus alters the mechanical properties of the native tendon in an experimental rat model (2011) J. Orthop. Res., 29 (6), pp. 880-885Franchi, M., Fini, M., Quaranta, M., De Pasquale, V., Raspanti, M., Giavaresi, G., Ottani, V., Ruggeri, A., Crimp morphology in relaxed and stretched rat Achilles tendon (2007) J. Anat., 210, pp. 1-7Fredrick, S., Stina, E., Anja, N., Frank, Z., Dick, H., Kjell, H., Ultrastructural immunolocalization of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, thrombospondin-4, and collagen fibril size in rodent Achilles tendon in relation to exercise (2007) Connect. Tissue Res., 48, pp. 254-262Frisch, S.M., Vuori, K., Ruoslahti, E., Chan, H.P., Control of adhesion-dependent cell survival by focal adhesion kinase (1996) J. Cell. Biol., 134, pp. 793-799Gathercole, L.J., Keller, A., Crimp morphology in the fibre-forming collagens (1991) Matrix, 11, pp. 214-234Gelse, K., Pöschl, E., Aigner, T., Collagens-structure, function, and biosynthesis (2003) Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., 55 (12), pp. 1531-1546Goldschmidt, M.E., McLeod, K.J., Taylor, W.R., Integrin-mediated mechanotransduction in vascular smooth muscle cells: frequency and force response characteristics (2001) Circ. Res., 88, pp. 674-680Guerra, F.R., Pires, I.L.S., Aro, A.A., Camargo, L.C., Pimentel, E.R., Palomari, E.T., Protocol on induction of TMJ articular disc degeneration in rats by utilization of botulinum toxin (2010) Arch. Oral Biol., 55 (7), pp. 530-534Hall, C.M., Brody, L.T., (2001) Exercício terapêutico na busca da função, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, pp. 57-168. , Guanabara-KooganHamill, O.P., Martinac, B., Molecular basis of mechanotransduction in living cells (2001) Physiol. Rev., 81, pp. 685-740Hanson, A.N., Bentley, J.P., Quantitation of type I and type III collagen ratios in small samples of human tendon, blood vessels and atherosclerotic plaque (1983) Anal. Biochem., 130, pp. 32-40Hay, E.D., (1991) Cell Biology of Extracellular Matrix, , Plenum, New YorkHughes, L., Archer, C., ap Gwynn, I., The ultrastructure of mouse articular cartilage: collagen orientation and implications for tissue functionality. A polarized light and scanning electron microscope study and review (2005) Eur. Cells Mater., 9, pp. 68-84Ingber, D.E., Dike, L., Hansen, L., Karp, S., Liley, H., Maniotis, A., McNamee, H., Wang, N., Cellular tensegrity: exploring how mechanical changes in the cytoskeleton regulate cell growth, migration and tissue pattern during morphogenesis (1994) Int. Rev. Cytol., 150, pp. 173-224Ihlemann, J., Ploug, T., Hellsten, Y., Galbo, H., Effect of tension on contraction-induced glucose transport in rat skeletal muscle (1999) Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 277, pp. 208-214Iozzo, R.V., Murdoch, A.D., Proteoglycans of the extracellular environment: clues from the gene and protein side offer novel perspectives in molecular diversity and function (1996) FASEB J., 10, pp. 598-614James, R., Kesturu, G., Balian, G., Chhabra, A.B., Tendon: biology, biomechanics, repair, growth factors, and envolving treatment options (2008) J. Hand Surg., 33 A, pp. 102-112Jaronski, J.W., Kasprzak, H.T., Linear birefringence measurements of the in vitro human cornea (2003) Ophthal. Physiol. Opt., 23 (4), pp. 361-369Jin, L.W., Claborn, K.A., Kurimoto, M., Geday, M.A., Maezawa, I., Sohraby, F., Estrada, M., Kahr, B., Imaging linear birefringence and dichroism in cerebral amyloid pathologies (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 100 (26), pp. 15294-15298Józsa, L., Kannus, P., Balint, B.J., Reffy, A., Three-dimensional ultrastructure of human tendons (1991) Acta Anat., 142, pp. 306-312Józsa, L., Kvist, M., Kannus, P., Vieno, T., Järvinen, M., Lehto, M., Sructure and macromolecular composition of the myotendineal junction. Histochemical immunohistochemical and electron microscopc study of the rat calt muscle (1991) Acta Morphol. Hung., 39 (4), pp. 287-297Józsa, L.G., Kannus, P., Human tendons: anatomy, physiology and pathology (1997) Structure and Metabolism of Normal Tendons, pp. 46-97. , Human Kinetics, ChampaignJulkunen, P., Kiviranta, P., Wilson, W., Jurvelin, J.S., Korhonen, R.K., Characterization of articular cartilage by combining microscopic analysis with a fibril-reinforced finite-element model (2007) J. Biomech., 40 (8), pp. 1862-1870Kadler, K.E., Holmes, D.F., Trotter, J.A., Chapman, J.A., Collagen fibril formation-review (1996) Biochem. J., 316, pp. 1-11Kannus, P., Structure of the tendon connective tissue (2000) Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports, 10, pp. 312-320Kaemmer, D., Bozkurt, A., Otto, J., Junge, K., Klink, C., Weis, J., Sellhaus, B., Klinge, U., Evaluation of tissue components in the peripheral nervous system using Sirius red staining and immunohistochemistry: a comparative study (human, pig, rat) (2010) J. Neurosci. Methods, 190 (1), pp. 112-116Ker, R.F., Alexander, M., Bennett, M.B., Why are mammalian tendons so thick? (1988) J. Zool. Lond., 216, pp. 309-324Kjaer, M., Role of extracellular matrix in adaptation of tendon and skeletal muscle to mechanical loading (2004) Physiol. Rev., 84, pp. 649-698Knighton, R.W., Huang, X.-R., Linear birefringence of the central human cornea (2002) Invest. Ophthalmol. Visual Sci., 43 (1), pp. 82-86Kogure, S., Kohwa, H., Tsukahara, S., Effect of uncompensated corneal polarization on the detection of localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects (2008) Ophthal. Res., 40 (2), pp. 61-68Komi, P.V., Fukashiro, S., Jarvinen, M., Biomechanical loading of Achilles tendon during normal locomotion (1992) Clin. Sports Med., 11, pp. 521-531Korol, R.M., Finlay, H.M., Josseau, M.J., Lucas, A.R., Canham, P.B., Fluorescence spectroscopy and birefringence of molecular changes in maturing rat tail tendon (2007) J. Biomed. Opt., 12 (2), p. 024011Langberg, H., Skovgaard, D., Petersen, L.J., Bulow, J., Kjaer, M., Type-1 collagen turnover in peritendinous connective tissue after exercise determined by microdialysis (1999) J. Physiol., 52, pp. 299-306Lemm, M., Blake, R.L., Colson, J.P., Ferguson, H., Achilles peritendinitis: a literature review with case report (1992) J. Am. Podiatr. Méd. Assoc., 82 (9), pp. 482-490Lesic, A., Bumbasirevic, M., Disorders of the Achilles tendon (2004) Curr. Orthop., 18, pp. 63-75Liu, S.H., Yang, R.S., Shaikh, R., Lane, J.M., Collagen in tendon, ligament and bone healing (1995) Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res., 318, pp. 265-278Maffulli, N., Rupture of the Achilles tendon (1999) J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., 81 (7), pp. 1019-1036Magnusson, S.P., Hansen, P., Kjaer, M., Tendon properties in relation to muscular activity and physical training (2003) Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports, 13, pp. 211-223Mello, M.L.S., Vidal, B.C., Experimental tendon repair: glycosaminoglycan arrangement in newly synthesized collagen fibers (2003) Cell. Mol. Biol., 49 (4), pp. 579-585Milz, S., McNeilly, C., Putz, R., Ralphs, J., Benjamin, M., Fibrocartilages in the extensor tendons of the interphalangeal joints of human toes (1998) Anat. Rec., 252, pp. 264-270Milz, S., Regner, F., Putz, R., Benjamin, M., Expression of a wide range of extracellular matrix molecules in the tendon and trochlea of the human superior oblique muscle (2002) Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 43 (5), pp. 1330-1334Muller, G., Michel, A., Altenburg, E., Comp (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) is synthesized in ligament, tendon, meniscus, and cartilage (1998) Connect. Tissue Res., 39, pp. 233-244Muttini, A., Mattioli, M., Petrizzi, L., Varasano, V., Sciarrini, C., Russo, V., Mauro, A., Barboni, B., Experimental study on allografts of amniotic epithelial cells in calcaneal tendon lesions of sheep (2010) Vet. Res. Commun., 34 (SUPPL. 1), pp. S117-S120Nakagaki, W.R., Biancalana, A., Benevides, G.P., Gomes, L., Biomechanical and biochemical properties of chicken calcaneal tendon under effect of age and nonforced active exercise (2007) Connect. Tissue Res., 48, pp. 219-228Nakagaki, W.R., Pimentel, E.R., Benevides, G.P., Gomes, L., The effect of age and spontaneous exercise on the biomechanical and biochemical properties of chicken superficial digital flexor tendon (2010) Connect. Tissue Res., 51, pp. 265-273Naoun, O.K., Dorr, V.L., Allé, P., Sablon, J.C., Benoit, A.M., Exploration of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by measurement of the linear dichroism (2005) Appl. Opt., 44 (33), pp. 7074-7082Neale, S.L., MacDonald, M.P., Dholakia, K., Krauss, T.F., All-optical control of microfluidic components using from birefringence (2005) Nat. Mater., 4, pp. 530-533O'Brien, M., Structure and metabolism of tendons (1997) Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports, 7, pp. 55-61Oryan, A., Silver, I.A., Goodship, A.E., Metrenperone enhances collagen turnover and remodeling in the early stages of healing of tendon injury in rabbit (2010) Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg., 130 (12), pp. 1451-1457Petrov, G.I., Shcheslavskiy, V.I., Yakovlev, V.V., Golovan, L.A., Krutkova, E.Y., Fedotov, A.B., Zheltikov, A.M., Stepovich, E.M., Effect of photonic crystal structure on the nonlinear optical anisotropy of birefringent porous silicon (2006) Opt. Lett., 31 (21), pp. 3152-3154Pimentel, R., Recco, S.M., Graccho, M., Photometric studies on xylidine ponceau-collagen interaction (1981) Cell. Mol. Biol., 27 (4), pp. 347-352Pimentel, S.B., Carvalho, H.F., Cellular aspects of elastogonesis in the elastic tendon of the chicken wing (2003) Cell Biol. Int., 27, pp. 579-586Piez, K.A., Reddi, A.H., Extracellular matrix biochemistry (1984) Molecular and Aggregate Structures of the Collagens, pp. 1-40. , Elsevier, New York, K.A. Piez, A.H. Reddi (Eds.)Posey, K.L., Hecht, J.T., The role of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in skeletal disease (2008) Curr. Dr