FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2002; (34); 241-244; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05426.x

Correlation of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels in equine tendon with mechanical properties: a proposed role for COMP in determining function-specific mechanical characteristics of locomotor tendons.

Abstract: Over-strain injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is a common injury in the horse. Tendon appears to adapt to loads placed on it during development, but fatigue damage accumulates after skeletal maturity, which is inadequately repaired and predisposes to clinical tendinitis. In any population of horses, there is a wide variation in SDFT mechanical properties. A noncollagenous protein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), is particularly abundant during growth in the equine SDFT and has been proposed to have an organisational role in the formation of collagenous matrices. This study aimed to determine whether COMP levels were correlated to mechanical properties at skeletal maturity. Tendons from 2 groups of 12 horses were analysed: Group 1 horses with restricted age, 2 years +/- 2 months, showed a significant correlation between both ultimate tensile stress modulus of elasticity and stiffness and COMP, while Group 2 mature horses with varying age did not, because of age- and exercise-induced loss of COMP. These data supports the hypothesis that COMP is an important mediator in the growth of tendon. This data would suggest that the identification of low COMP levels in tendon during growth would indicate horses prone to tendon injury and methods of promoting COMP synthesis during growth would potentially improve tendon quality and reduce the risk of subsequent tendinitis.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405694DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05426.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examines the correlation between levels of a non-collagenous protein known as cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in equine tendon and its mechanical properties. It suggests that COMP plays a significant role in equine tendon growth and those horses with lower COMP levels may be more susceptible to tendon injuries.

Background of the Research

  • In horses, an over-strain injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is a common occurrence.
  • Though a tendon seems to adapt to loads during development, it tends to accumulate fatigue damage after skeletal maturity, which is inadequately repaired and often leads to clinical tendinitis.
  • There’s a broad range in the SDFT mechanical properties in any given horse population.
  • Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a non-collagenous protein, is found in abundant quantities during growth in the equine SDFT and has been projected to play a significant role in organizing the formation of collagenous matrices.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary aim of this research study was to find out whether the levels of COMP in equine tendons correlate with their mechanical properties.

Findings of the Study

  • The study involved the analysis of tendons from two groups of 12 horses each. The results showed a significant correlation between the mechanical properties of the tendon and COMP levels in Group 1 horses.
  • Group 1 consisted of horses with a restricted age bracket of 2 years +/- 2 months, and the analysis revealed a significant correlation between both ultimate tensile stress modulus of elasticity and stiffness and COMP.
  • In contrast, Group 2 consisted of mature horses with varying ages where this correlation was not found, due to age- and exercise-induced loss of COMP.

Implications of the Findings

  • The data from this research supports the hypothesis that COMP plays a significant role in the growth of tendon in horses.
  • If a horse presents low COMP levels in their tendon during growth, it could serve as an indication that the horse is prone to tendon injury.
  • Methods that promote COMP synthesis during growth might potentially enhance the quality of tendon in horses and decrease their risk of developing tendinitis.

Cite This Article

APA
Smith RK, Gerard M, Dowling B, Dart AJ, Birch HL, Goodship AE. (2002). Correlation of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels in equine tendon with mechanical properties: a proposed role for COMP in determining function-specific mechanical characteristics of locomotor tendons. Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 241-244. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05426.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 34
Pages: 241-244

Researcher Affiliations

Smith, R K W
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
Gerard, M
    Dowling, B
      Dart, A J
        Birch, H L
          Goodship, A E

            MeSH Terms

            • Age Factors
            • Aging / physiology
            • Animals
            • Cartilage / physiology
            • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / analysis
            • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / physiology
            • Glycoproteins / analysis
            • Glycoproteins / physiology
            • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
            • Horses / growth & development
            • Horses / physiology
            • Locomotion / physiology
            • Matrilin Proteins
            • Tendinopathy / prevention & control
            • Tendinopathy / veterinary
            • Tendon Injuries / prevention & control
            • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
            • Tendons / chemistry
            • Tendons / growth & development
            • Tendons / physiology
            • Tensile Strength
            • Weight-Bearing / physiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 27 times.
            1. Jiang L, Lu J, Chen Y, Lyu K, Long L, Wang X, Liu T, Li S. Mesenchymal stem cells: An efficient cell therapy for tendon repair (Review). Int J Mol Med 2023 Aug;52(2).
              doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5273pubmed: 37387410google scholar: lookup
            2. Mündermann A, Vach W, Pagenster G, Egloff C, Nüesch C. Assessing in vivo articular cartilage mechanosensitivity as outcome of high tibial osteotomy in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis: Experimental protocol. Osteoarthr Cartil Open 2020 Jun;2(2):100043.
              doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2020.100043pubmed: 36474590google scholar: lookup
            3. Ribbans WJ, September AV, Collins M. Tendon and Ligament Genetics: How Do They Contribute to Disease and Injury? A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2022 Apr 29;12(5).
              doi: 10.3390/life12050663pubmed: 35629331google scholar: lookup
            4. Taglietti V, Kefi K, Bronisz-Budzyńska I, Mirciloglu B, Rodrigues M, Cardone N, Coulpier F, Periou B, Gentil C, Goddard M, Authier FJ, Pietri-Rouxel F, Malfatti E, Lafuste P, Tiret L, Relaix F. Duchenne muscular dystrophy trajectory in R-DMDdel52 preclinical rat model identifies COMP as biomarker of fibrosis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022 Apr 25;10(1):60.
              doi: 10.1186/s40478-022-01355-2pubmed: 35468843google scholar: lookup
            5. Eisner LE, Rosario R, Andarawis-Puri N, Arruda EM. The Role of the Non-Collagenous Extracellular Matrix in Tendon and Ligament Mechanical Behavior: A Review. J Biomech Eng 2022 May 1;144(5).
              doi: 10.1115/1.4053086pubmed: 34802057google scholar: lookup
            6. Hecht JT, Veerisetty AC, Hossain MG, Patra D, Chiu F, Coustry F, Posey KL. Joint Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Pseudoachondroplasia: ER Stress, Inflammation, and Block of Autophagy. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Aug 26;22(17).
              doi: 10.3390/ijms22179239pubmed: 34502142google scholar: lookup
            7. Riasat K, Bardell D, Goljanek-Whysall K, Clegg PD, Peffers MJ. Epigenetic mechanisms in Tendon Ageing. Br Med Bull 2020 Oct 14;135(1):90-107.
              doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldaa023pubmed: 32827252google scholar: lookup
            8. McClellan A, Evans R, Sze C, Kan S, Paterson Y, Guest D. A novel mechanism for the protection of embryonic stem cell derived tenocytes from inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta. Sci Rep 2019 Feb 26;9(1):2755.
              doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39370-4pubmed: 30808942google scholar: lookup
            9. Posey KL, Coustry F, Hecht JT. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein: COMPopathies and beyond. Matrix Biol 2018 Oct;71-72:161-173.
              doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.02.023pubmed: 29530484google scholar: lookup
            10. Islam A, Mbimba T, Younesi M, Akkus O. Effects of substrate stiffness on the tenoinduction of human mesenchymal stem cells. Acta Biomater 2017 Aug;58:244-253.
              doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.05.058pubmed: 28602855google scholar: lookup
            11. Screen HR, Berk DE, Kadler KE, Ramirez F, Young MF. Tendon functional extracellular matrix. J Orthop Res 2015 Jun;33(6):793-9.
              doi: 10.1002/jor.22818pubmed: 25640030google scholar: lookup
            12. Peffers MJ, Thorpe CT, Collins JA, Eong R, Wei TK, Screen HR, Clegg PD. Proteomic analysis reveals age-related changes in tendon matrix composition, with age- and injury-specific matrix fragmentation. J Biol Chem 2014 Sep 12;289(37):25867-78.
              doi: 10.1074/jbc.M114.566554pubmed: 25077967google scholar: lookup
            13. Dakin SG, Smith RK, Heinegård D, Önnerfjord P, Khabut A, Dudhia J. Proteomic analysis of tendon extracellular matrix reveals disease stage-specific fragmentation and differential cleavage of COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein). J Biol Chem 2014 Feb 21;289(8):4919-27.
              doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.511972pubmed: 24398684google scholar: lookup
            14. Piróg KA, Katakura Y, Mironov A, Briggs MD. Mild myopathy is associated with COMP but not MATN3 mutations in mouse models of genetic skeletal diseases. PLoS One 2013;8(11):e82412.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082412pubmed: 24312420google scholar: lookup
            15. Thorpe CT, Birch HL, Clegg PD, Screen HR. The role of the non-collagenous matrix in tendon function. Int J Exp Pathol 2013 Aug;94(4):248-59.
              doi: 10.1111/iep.12027pubmed: 23718692google scholar: lookup
            16. Murray SJ, Santangelo KS, Bertone AL. Evaluation of early cellular influences of bone morphogenetic proteins 12 and 2 on equine superficial digital flexor tenocytes and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Am J Vet Res 2010 Jan;71(1):103-14.
              doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.1.103pubmed: 20043789google scholar: lookup
            17. Würgler-Hauri CC, Dourte LM, Baradet TC, Williams GR, Soslowsky LJ. Temporal expression of 8 growth factors in tendon-to-bone healing in a rat supraspinatus model. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2007 Sep-Oct;16(5 Suppl):S198-203.
              doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2007.04.003pubmed: 17903711google scholar: lookup
            18. Dennis EP, Briggs MD. From Protein Misfolding to Extracellular Matrix Disorganisation: Understanding Disease Pathology in Rare Skeletal Dysplasias. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Oct 15;26(20).
              doi: 10.3390/ijms262010057pubmed: 41155349google scholar: lookup
            19. Smith MM, Melrose J. COMP Is a Biomarker of Cartilage Destruction, Extracellular Matrix and Vascular Remodeling and Tissue Repair. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Sep 19;26(18).
              doi: 10.3390/ijms26189182pubmed: 41009743google scholar: lookup
            20. DiStefano MS, Weiss SN, Nuss CA, Betts RL, Han B, Kuntz AF, Soslowsky LJ. Mature murine supraspinatus tendons demonstrate regional differences in multiscale structure, function and gene expression. PLoS One 2025;20(2):e0318809.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318809pubmed: 39977400google scholar: lookup
            21. Liu Y, Li X, Jiang L, Ma J. Identification of age-related genes in rotator cuff tendon. Bone Joint Res 2024 Sep 10;13(9):474-484.
              doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.139.BJR-2023-0398.R1pubmed: 39253760google scholar: lookup
            22. Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW. Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock alters limb stiffness and fetlock angle. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):636-644.
              doi: 10.1111/evj.14409pubmed: 39219092google scholar: lookup
            23. Nakamichi R, Asahara H. The role of mechanotransduction in tendon. J Bone Miner Res 2024 Aug 5;39(7):814-820.
              doi: 10.1093/jbmr/zjae074pubmed: 38795012google scholar: lookup
            24. Kwan KYC, Ng KWK, Rao Y, Zhu C, Qi S, Tuan RS, Ker DFE, Wang DM. Effect of Aging on Tendon Biology, Biomechanics and Implications for Treatment Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Oct 14;24(20).
              doi: 10.3390/ijms242015183pubmed: 37894875google scholar: lookup
            25. Hecht JT, Veerisetty AC, Patra D, Hossain MG, Chiu F, Mobed C, Gannon FH, Posey KL. Early Resveratrol Treatment Mitigates Joint Degeneration and Dampens Pain in a Mouse Model of Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH). Biomolecules 2023 Oct 20;13(10).
              doi: 10.3390/biom13101553pubmed: 37892235google scholar: lookup
            26. Pechanec MY, Mienaltowski MJ. Decoding the transcriptomic expression and genomic methylation patterns in the tendon proper and its peritenon region in the aging horse. BMC Res Notes 2023 Oct 11;16(1):267.
              doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06562-1pubmed: 37821884google scholar: lookup
            27. Hay AM, Rhoades MJ, Bangerter S, Ferguson SA, Lee H, T Gill M, Page GL, Pope A, Measom GJ, Hager RL, Seeley MK. Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Concentration Increases More After Running Than Swimming for Older People. Sports Health 2024 Jul-Aug;16(4):534-541.
              doi: 10.1177/19417381231195309pubmed: 37697665google scholar: lookup
            Subscribe to our newsletter
            Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.