Molecular Regulation of Mutable Collagenous Tissues.

Abstract

The principal structural components of the sea cucumber dermis are discontinuous collagen fibrils, and its principal cellular components are secretory cells regulated by the nervous system. The cellular secretions modify the capacity of the interfibrillar matrix to transfer stress between the collagen fibrils. Modifications of this stress-transfer capacity are detected as changes in the viscous component(s) of the material using biomechanical tests. Pharmacological agents are used to probe the cellular pathways that function in tissue regulation. In addition, intact collagen fibrils are isolated from the dermis and the conditions under which they aggregate in vitro are analyzed. This fibril-aggregation assay is used to identify potential stiffening and plasticizing constituents that are extracted from the tissue.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 04, 1998
Accession Number
ADA349628

Entities

Organizations

  • University of New Mexico

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Connective Tissue
  • Echinodermata
  • Elastic Properties
  • Glycoproteins
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Molecules
  • Nervous System
  • New Mexico
  • Polysaccharides
  • Regulations
  • Sea Urchins
  • Security
  • Stiffening
  • Stiffness
  • Structural Components

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Reinforced Composite Materials