PMID: 11914152Mar 27, 2002Paper

Observations on morphologic changes in the aging and degenerating human disc: secondary collagen alterations

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Helen E Gruber, Edward N Hanley

Abstract

In the annulus, collagen fibers that make up the lamellae have a wavy, planar crimped pattern. This crimping plays a role in disc biomechanical function by allowing collagen fibers to stretch during compression. The relationship between morphologic changes in the aging/degenerating disc and collagen crimping have not been explored. Ultrastructural studies were performed on annulus tissue from 29 control (normal) donors (aged newborn to 79 years) and surgical specimens from 49 patients (aged 16 to 77 years). Light microscopy and specialized image analysis to visualize crimping was performed on additional control and surgical specimens. Human intervertebral disc tissue from the annulus was obtained in a prospective morphologic study of the annulus. Studies were approved by the authors' Human Subjects Institutional Review Board. Three types of morphologic changes were found to alter the crimping morphology of collagen: 1) encircling layers of unusual matrix disrupted the lamellar collagen architecture; 2) collagen fibers were reduced in amount, and 3) collagen was absent in regions with focal matrix loss. Although proteoglycan loss is well recognized as playing a role in the decreased shock absorber function of the aging/degenerat...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1992·The Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry : Official Journal of the Histochemistry Society·E B HunzikerW Herrmann
Jun 1, 1991·Matrix : Collagen and Related Research·L J Gathercole, A Keller
Jan 1, 1989·Connective Tissue Research·J J CassidyE Baer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 11, 2009·Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·Karin WuertzJames C Iatridis
Jun 22, 2019·Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology·Tristan LanglaisClaudio Vergari
Jun 13, 2017·The Open Orthopaedics Journal·Ibrahim Halil UralSüleyman Özyalçın
Apr 6, 2017·Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology·Claudio VergariPeter C Winlove
Jan 16, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Laura BaumgartnerJérôme Noailly

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society
Helen E GruberEdward N Hanley
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
R HajjajiJ F Ganghoffer
Biotechnic & Histochemistry : Official Publication of the Biological Stain Commission
Helen E GruberEdward N Hanley
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved