Graded arrangement of collagen fibrils in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Abstract: By using ultramorphological and biochemical methods, we analyzed the regional differences between the three parts of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), namely, the myotendinous junction (MTJ), middle metacarpal (mM), and osteotendinous junction (OTJ). Cross-sectional images showed unique distributions of collagen fibrils of varying diameters in each region. Small collagen fibrils (diameter 200 nm). In the mM region, the collagen fibrils were intermediately distributed between the MTJ and OTJ. The results indicate a graded arrangement of collagen fibrils in the tendon. Type V collagen was detected preferentially in the MTJ region. Since type V collagen is believed to be one of the collagens regulating collagen fibril formation, its possible functionality in the MTJ region in terms of fibril formation and fibril arrangement in the tendon has been discussed here.
Publication Date: 2007-12-14 PubMed ID: 18075820DOI: 10.1080/03008200701692800Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the regional differences in equine superficial digital flexor tendon’s collagen fibril distribution. The study suggests a graded arrangement of collagen fibrils in the tendon, implying a possible effect on fibril formation and arrangement.
Research Methodology
- The research methodology involved using ultramorphological and biochemical methods to explore regional differences within the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT).
- The three parts focused on were the myotendinous junction (MTJ), middle metacarpal (mM), and osteotendinous junction (OTJ).
- Cross-sectional images were used to reveal the unique distribution of collagen fibrils of varying diameters in each region.
Results and Findings
- Smaller collagen fibrils (less than 100 nm in diameter) were predominantly found in the MTJ region, whereas the OTJ region was found to be rich in larger collagen fibrils (more than 200 nm in diameter).
- In the mM region, collagen fibrils were found to be distributed in an intermediate manner between the MTJ and OTJ regions.
- This led to the conclusion of a graded arrangement of collagen fibrils throughout the tendon.
- Furthermore, Type V collagen, believed to play a role in regulating collagen fibril formation, was detected primarily in the MTJ region.
Implications and Further Discussion
- The presence of Type V collagen in the MTJ region suggests potential functionality in terms of fibril formation and arrangement in the tendon.
- Understanding the arrangement and type of collagen fibrils in specific locations within the tendon can provide insights into tendon structure, function, and possibly also behaviors in cases of injury or disease.
- Future research might expand this approach to other species or other types of tendons.
Cite This Article
APA
Watanabe T, Imamura Y, Hosaka Y, Ueda H, Takehana K.
(2007).
Graded arrangement of collagen fibrils in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Connect Tissue Res, 48(6), 332-337.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03008200701692800 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Collagen / ultrastructure
- Collagen Type I / ultrastructure
- Collagen Type III / ultrastructure
- Collagen Type V / ultrastructure
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / veterinary
- Tendons / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Jacobson KR, Lipp S, Acuna A, Leng Y, Bu Y, Calve S. Comparative Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix Proteome across the Myotendinous Junction. J Proteome Res 2020 Oct 2;19(10):3955-3967.
- Takahashi N, Kametani K, Ota R, Tangkawattana P, Iwasaki T, Hasegawa Y, Ueda H, Hosotani M, Watanabe T. Three-dimensional ultrastructure reconstruction of tendinous components at the bifurcation of the bovine superficial digital flexor tendon using array and STEM tomographies. J Anat 2021 Jan;238(1):63-72.
- Ribitsch I, Gueltekin S, Keith MF, Minichmair K, Peham C, Jenner F, Egerbacher M. Age-related changes of tendon fibril micro-morphology and gene expression. J Anat 2020 Apr;236(4):688-700.
- Takahashi N, Hirose T, Minaguchi JA, Ueda H, Tangkawattana P, Takehana K. Fibrillar architecture at three different sites of the bovine superficial digital flexor tendon. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Mar 24;80(3):405-412.
- Lee AH, Szczesny SE, Santare MH, Elliott DM. Investigating mechanisms of tendon damage by measuring multi-scale recovery following tensile loading. Acta Biomater 2017 Jul 15;57:363-372.
- Connizzo BK, Adams SM, Adams TH, Birk DE, Soslowsky LJ. Collagen V expression is crucial in regional development of the supraspinatus tendon. J Orthop Res 2016 Dec;34(12):2154-2161.
- Ahmadzadeh H, Freedman BR, Connizzo BK, Soslowsky LJ, Shenoy VB. Micromechanical poroelastic finite element and shear-lag models of tendon predict large strain dependent Poisson's ratios and fluid expulsion under tensile loading. Acta Biomater 2015 Aug;22:83-91.
- Ahmadzadeh H, Connizzo BK, Freedman BR, Soslowsky LJ, Shenoy VB. Determining the contribution of glycosaminoglycans to tendon mechanical properties with a modified shear-lag model. J Biomech 2013 Sep 27;46(14):2497-503.
- Watanabe T, Imamura Y, Suzuki D, Hosaka Y, Ueda H, Hiramatsu K, Takehana K. Concerted and adaptive alignment of decorin dermatan sulfate filaments in the graded organization of collagen fibrils in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. J Anat 2012 Feb;220(2):156-63.
- 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.
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