Articles tagged with Collagen
Researchers identified that the CMG2 protein binds and controls collagen VI levels, leading to its accumulation in tissues causing painful deformities. The study provides new insights into the physiological function of CMG2 and demonstrates its interaction with collagen VI.
Researchers from Kyoto University have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of unfolded protein response (UPR) transducers in coping with ER stress. They found that different UPR transducers are activated selectively, depending on the developmental stage of the cell and type of stress, to orchestrate various biological processes.
Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered that antibodies against cartilage protein collagen II are associated with a good prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that patients with these antibodies showed increased signs of inflammation during the first six months after diagnosis, but no difference later on.
Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered that collagen can get unraveled at a molecular level before complete failure of connective tissues, leading to common injuries such as ligament and tendon tears. This breakthrough allows for early detection and potential treatment using the CHP probe.
Scientists from North Carolina State University have successfully isolated and sequenced additional collagen peptides from an 80-million-year-old Brachylophosaurus specimen, lending further support to the idea that organic molecules can persist in fossils for tens of millions of years. The study demonstrates that peptide sequences can ...
UNSW biomedical engineers create 'smart' fabric that mimics periosteum's complex properties, with potential applications in protective suits, compression bandages, and steel-belt radial tyres. The technique involves scaling up nature's architectural patterns to produce multidimensional fabrics.
Researchers used 3D electron microscopy to visualize collagen cables in skeletal muscle fibrosis, a roadblock to muscle recovery. Targeting these cables could provide treatments for conditions like muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and age-related muscle loss, improving muscle function and reducing pain.
A new regenerative scaffold made of collagen hydrogel and collagensponge stimulates periodontal tissue regeneration by retaining fibroblast growth factor-2, promoting cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone regeneration. The combination improves biodegradability and promotes true regeneration in beagle dogs.
Researchers found a specific rearrangement of collagen fibers surrounding tumors associated with early death, which may indicate poorer survival rates. The study suggests that understanding collagen's role in cancer could lead to new therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have discovered the mechanism behind shape-shifting sea cucumbers' ability to rapidly change their stiffness. This unique property is controlled by a protein-rich interfibrillar matrix that can be altered by the nervous system, making it useful for developing novel biomaterials.
A team of researchers at Jadavpur University in India has devised a way to recycle fish byproducts into an energy harvester that can generate electricity from mechanical stress. The energy harvester, made from fish scales, is capable of scavenging various types of ambient energies and powering small devices.
Researchers at UT Austin use thermal noise imaging to capture nanometer-scale images of collagen fibrils in skin, revealing key properties that affect elasticity. This breakthrough may lead to improved designs for artificial skin and tissues.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers discover the importance of symmetry in creating functional collagen fibers outside the body. The study uses symmetry to grow long, stable collagen fibers that mimic those found in nature, offering potential breakthroughs for biomaterials and nanotechnology.
Researchers have identified a potential treatment for severe scarring by inhibiting an enzyme called lysyl oxidase, which enables collagen to crosslink and form scar tissue. The compounds, tested in a 'scar-in-a-jar' model, show promise in restoring normal tissue architecture.
Researchers identified human remains on Oronsay island from the Late Mesolithic era, shedding light on Britain's transition to agriculture. The study used innovative bone collagen analysis techniques to determine species and diet of prehistoric groups.
Researchers analyzed teeth of 20 Kilkenny Union workhouse residents, finding prolonged nutritional stress due to famine during childhood. The study suggests that incremental dentine collagen isotope analysis may identify periods of physiological stress like famine in adult and juvenile skeletons.
Researchers at Tel Aviv and Harvard Universities developed a method to control collagen-cell proliferation that produces scarring, using short pulsed electric fields. This technique, called partial irreversible electroporation (pIRE), reduces scar area by 57.9% in animal models.
Scientists have identified a regulatory system in collagen that regulates enzyme activity, potentially shedding light on disease processes. The study reveals that collagen defects can spontaneously form and heal, with tension eliminating defects in tendons.
Researchers found that dentin's mechanical coupling between collagen protein fibers and mineral nanoparticles allows it to withstand extreme forces. The nanostructure design enables dentin to last longer than synthetic filling materials.
Chloride plays a critical role in assembling collagen IV scaffolds, a fundamental step in basement membrane formation. Researchers found that chloride binds to NC1 domains, inducing a conformational change that enables scaffold assembly.
In a rat model of volume-overload-induced heart failure, LOX inhibition partially restored systolic and diastolic function while reducing cardiac fibrosis and interstitial myocardial collagen. LOX over-activation promotes progressive cardiac fibrosis and heart failure progression.
A peptide derived from collagen protein promotes the formation of neuronal synapses in the brain, potentially helping to treat schizophrenia. Collagen XIX-deficient mice display symptoms similar to those seen in humans with the disorder.
Using human ligament samples and polarized-light-based imaging, the Penn team has identified microscopic features that prefigure where failure occurs. This insight could lead to new diagnostic techniques or therapies for sub-failure injuries.
Researchers investigate how mechanical loading affects bone strength and disease-related fragility by studying collagen's biological mechanism. The study aims to deliver new understanding of mechanically-induced adaptation in bone and provide ways to target bone disease through collagen modulation.
Engineers at the University of California, San Diego, have found inspiration in the boxfish's armor, which includes hexagon-shaped scales and sutures. The structure provides a balance between flexibility and strength, making it an ideal design for body armor and flexible electronics.
Researchers found that dental pulp stem cells can regenerate myelinated axons in laboratory rats with sciatic nerve defects, outperforming autologous nerve grafts. The study suggests that MDPSCs contribute to peripheral nerve regeneration through the secretion of neurotrophic and angiogenic factors.
Researchers have compared two novel ways of inhibiting atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet activation, finding that one strategy is more effective at higher flow rates. The study suggests a new GPVI inhibitor may be used specifically to block thrombus formation at high-risk plaques.
Researchers identify Enterococcus faecalis as primary microbial culprit behind post-surgical colon leaks. The bacteria degrades intestinal connective tissues and activates enzymes that cause small holes in the intestine during healing, leading to leaks. Identifying E. faecalis could lead to more effective ways to reduce leak rates.
Scientists have discovered a protease enzyme secreted by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that damages collagen in bats. A protease inhibitor showed a 77% reduction in collagen damage after 54 hours, offering hope for treating White Nose syndrome.
A team of researchers identified four mechanisms in collagen that work together to reduce stress concentrations at the tip of a tear. These mechanisms - rotation, straightening, stretching, and sliding - can be replicated in synthetic materials to improve strength and resistance to tearing.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source observed the micro-scale mechanisms behind skin's remarkable tear resistance. The study identified four synergistic mechanisms in collagen that act to diminish stress concentrations associated with tears.
Researchers have identified a promising new target for treating pulmonary fibrosis, a severe and chronic lung disease. By inhibiting the enzyme prolyl 4-hydroxylase, which promotes collagen production, researchers aim to reduce excessive fibrous tissue growth.
Scientists develop nanofibers from tilapia collagen and apply them to rat wounds, resulting in faster healing times and no immune reactions. The study suggests fish collagen could be a viable alternative for wound treatment, reducing the risk of transmitting diseases.
Researchers found that collagen cross-links play a crucial role in regulating stromal stiffness and determining tumor cell metastatic fate. The study identified two types of collagen cross-links, HLCC and LCC, which are associated with different levels of tumor growth and spread.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that removing water from collagen fibers dramatically increases their tensile forces, generating up to 300 times more force than human muscles. This finding suggests a more active role for collagen in living organisms and opens new possibilities for developing novel materials.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center used C. elegans to identify a new path that could lead to drugs to slow aging and chronic diseases, and might even impact cosmetics. Production of collagen and other ECM components plays a key role in longevity, suggesting agents promoting tissue remodeling might slow aging in humans.
Researchers at Rice University have made significant breakthroughs in the study of synthetic collagen fibers, demonstrating how they self-assemble through their sticky ends. The discovery could lead to improved synthetic collagens for tissue engineering and cosmetic medicine.
Researchers propose that internal physical stresses generated during growth limit lateral size, but a specific phyllotactic pattern may control growth. A study suggests the distribution of grain boundaries in this pattern might be determinant for controlling lateral growth.
High matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression is associated with increased regional angiogenesis and degradation of collagen IV in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. This upregulation leads to microvessel density and basement membrane damage after cerebral infarction.
Researchers developed a novel scaffold for repairing spinal cord injuries, utilizing a double-layer collagen membrane with unequal pore sizes. This innovative approach enhanced the delivery of neural stem cells to the target site, promoting improved repair and recovery outcomes.
A recent study published at Experimental Biology 2014 demonstrated the long-term efficacy of KoACT in reducing bone loss in post-menopausal women. The supplement, which combines a proprietary formulation of calcium and collagen, prevented whole body bone mineral density loss at twelve months compared to a control group.
A Case Western Reserve University engineer has devised a technique to reconstitute collagen into tough fibers and induce adult stem cells to grow into tendons, which could lead to regenerating bulk volume of the tendon. The technology may also be used to repair hernias or urinary incontinence.
Bromine is the 28th element essential for tissue development in all animals. Fruit flies died without bromine but survived with its restoration. This finding has implications for human diseases such as kidney function and dialysis patients.
A new tool helps identify patients at risk of an aneurysm rupture by analyzing collagen type I, which is younger than previously thought. The study may lead to improved screening and treatment strategies for aneurysm patients.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a synthetic collagen, KOD, that mimics the body's natural collagen to promote natural clotting and heal surgical wounds. Lab tests showed KOD hydrogel traps red blood cells to stop bleeding and binds platelets to form clots, improving upon commercial hemostats.
Researchers developed a nanoscale matrix biomaterial assembly that maintains liver cell morphology and function in microfluidic devices. The technology enables the creation of stable liver microtissues for use in organ-on-a-chip devices to mimic healthy liver physiology and test drug toxicity.
Researchers created a computer simulation to accurately predict blood vessel growth in the laboratory. By studying real blood vessels from rats, they found that denser extracellular matrix impairs vessel formation. This breakthrough aims to develop new treatments for diseases related to blood flow and cancer metastasis.
Researchers developed a mobile app and biosensors that can detect volatile chemicals by analyzing color patterns on the sensor's surface. The biosensors use a turkey-inspired design that changes color when exposed to different chemicals, allowing for easy identification of toxins.
Researchers at Penn have found that the optimal amount of strain for a beating heart depends on the stiffness of its collagen framework. The study showed that as the embryo develops, the stiffening of collagen leads to an increase in myosin motor proteins to maintain the optimal heartbeat.
Researchers are working on an injectable compound that can block enzymes that further break down the tendon, reducing injury severity or promoting healing. The therapy aims to treat tendon injuries at an early stage, potentially benefiting athletes and industrial workers.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame identified enzymes detrimental and beneficial to wound repair in diabetic individuals. Selective MMP-9 inhibitors showed 92% wound healing rate after 14 days, compared to 74% in untreated mice.
Researchers at Jefferson Orthopedics have developed a potential treatment for post-traumatic joint stiffness in military personnel, using an antibody that curtails collagen fibril production. The study aims to reduce joint stiffness and prevent osteoarthritis in soldiers who sustain traumatic injuries.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that hydrolyzed collagen is suitable for nerve cell culture due to its ability to facilitate cell survival and neurite outgrowth. Non-hydrolyzed collagen matrices had no obvious effects on these processes, making hydrolyzed collagen a promising tool for neural tissue engineering.
Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for squamous cell lung cancer by targeting a specific protein called DDR2, which interacts with collagen to protect against cancer growth. The findings could lead to the development of targeted therapies for this previously untreatable form of lung cancer.
Researchers from University of California have found a way to improve cochlear implant functionality by inducing neurons to extend neurites towards the implant. This study published in Neural Regeneration Research, used soluble neurotrophins and collagen gels to grow cochlear neurites, increasing their numbers and length.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a synthetic substance that resists the body's natural attack response to foreign objects. The polymer, known as a hydrogel, can be coated on medical devices like artificial heart valves and prostheses to prevent rejection.
Researchers have discovered that breast cancer patients with dense breasts are more likely to develop aggressive tumors. A protein called DDR2 plays a key role in this process, facilitating the spread of cancer cells by activating a multistep pathway.
A team led by Dr. Natalia Rybczynski has identified the first evidence for an extinct giant camel in Canada's High Arctic, dating back 3.4 million years. The discovery extends the range of camels in North America northward by 1,200 km and suggests a possible adaptation to polar environments.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and Cornell University have developed bioengineered ears that can grow cartilage over a three-month period. The study's breakthrough could provide a new solution for children born with congenital ear deformities, as well as individuals who have lost part or all of their external ear.
Research reveals that a protein called IL-13 plays a crucial role in the development of fibrosis in Crohn's disease. The study found that increased levels of IL-13 lead to excessive collagen synthesis and tissue hardening, causing bowel narrowing and loss of mobility.