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.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405694DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05426.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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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
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
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
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