Multi-physics multi-scale fundamental understanding of pathological mineralization of soft tissues- stress effects on calcific tendinopathy
Abstract
The biggest threat to military readiness is musculoskeletal disease. Soft tissue injuries make up nearly 25percent of all military hospitalizations of which 5percent occur in the shoulder and ankle where calcific tendinopathy (CT) is most likely to occur. Calcific tendinopathy is a condition where mineral is deposited within the tendon, leading to pain, disability, and risk of tendon rupture. The mechanism by which this calcification occurs remains unclear. However, the success of non-biological treatments along with the increased prevalence of calcification in athletes suggests that the mechanical and chemical environments might the key to understanding tendon mineralization. Therefore, the goal of this study is to develop a multi-physics multi-scale approach to elucidate the role of mechanical loading on physiochemical pathological mineral growth in tendons in order to enable treatments that promote demineralization and restore tissue functionality. Healthy tendon is composed of crosslinked collagen that can exchange liquid with the surrounding body fluid. We have shown that this fluid exchange imbues collagen with unique non-linear mechanics. However, increased crosslinking associated with CT reduces tendon hydration thus affecting collagen mechanics and creating an environment that promotes mineralization. This mineral component of CT is a calcium phosphate apatite whose structure evolves with disease progression from A-type to B-type bioapatite. B-type apatite can exchange ion with the surrounding fluid affecting its composition, structure, and mechanics. These composition-dependent properties then drive mineral growth during loading. Little is known about A-type apatite chemistry and mechanics making it difficult to develop treatments for early CT. Understanding the formation of these calcific environments is necessary for treatment development; however, current models fail to account for the structural and chemical contributions to collagen and mineral mechanics. Larche-Cahn thermodynamics (LCT), a methodology that successfully relates the composition and mechanics of interstitial-substitutional solids like collagen-mineral under load, may be critical for the development of more accurate models. Therefore, we are interested in developing experimentally validated models using LCT that describe the role of applied stress on the mechanical properties and mineralization of tendinous tissue. We will accomplish this via 2 aims.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310493
Entities
People
- Alix Deymier
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Connecticut