Human Achilles tendon mechanical behavior is more strongly related to collagen disorganization than advanced glycation end-products content

Diabetes is associated with impaired tendon homeostasis and subsequent tendon dysfunction, but the mechanisms underlying these associations is unclear. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulate with diabetes and have been suggested to alter tendon function. In vivo imaging in humans has suggested collagen disorganization is more frequent in individuals with diabetes, which could also impair tendon mechanical function. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between tendon tensile mechanics in human Achilles tendon with accumulation of advanced glycation end-products and collagen disorganization. Achilles tendon specimens (n = 16) were collected from individuals undergoing lower extremity amputation or from autopsy. Tendons were tensile tested with simultaneous quantitative polarized light imaging to assess collagen organization, after which AGEs content was assessed using a fluorescence assay. Moderate to strong relationships were observed between measures of collagen organization and tendon tensile mechanics (range of correlation coefficients: 0.570–0.727), whereas no statistically significant relationships were observed between AGEs content and mechanical parameters (range of correlation coefficients: 0.020–0.210). Results suggest that the relationship between AGEs content and tendon tensile mechanics may be masked by multifactorial collagen disorganization at larger length scales (i.e., the fascicle level).

Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography with single input for imaging depth-resolved collagen organizations

Collagen organization plays an important role in maintaining structural integrity and determining tissue function. Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) is a promising noninvasive three-dimensional imaging tool for mapping collagen organization in vivo. While PSOCT systems with multiple polarization inputs have demonstrated the ability to visualize depth-resolved collagen organization, systems, which use a single input polarization state have not yet demonstrated sufficient reconstruction quality. Herein we describe a PSOCT based polarization state transmission model that reveals the depth-dependent polarization state evolution of light backscattered within a birefringent sample. Based on this model, we propose a polarization state tracing method that relies on a discrete differential geometric analysis of the evolution of the polarization state in depth along the Poincare sphere for depth-resolved birefringent imaging using only one single input polarization state. We demonstrate the ability of this method to visualize depth-resolved myocardial architecture in both healthy and infarcted rodent hearts (ex vivo) and collagen structures responsible for skin tension lines at various anatomical locations on the face of a healthy human volunteer (in vivo).

Efficacy of Cathelicidin LL-37 in an MRSA Wound Infection Mouse Model

Background: LL-37 is the only human antimicrobial peptide that belongs to the cathelicidins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of LL-37 in the management of MRSA-infected surgical wounds in mice. Methods: A wound on the back of adult male BALB/c mice was made and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus. Two control groups were formed (uninfected and not treated, C0; infected and not treated, C1) and six contaminated groups were treated, respectively, with: teicoplanin, LL-37, given topically and /or systemically. Histological examination of VEGF expression and micro-vessel density, and bacterial cultures of wound tissues, were performed. Results: Histological examination of wounds in the group treated with topical and intraperitoneal LL-37 showed increased re-epithelialization, formation of the granulation tissue, collagen organization, and angiogenesis. Conclusions: Based on the mode of action, LL-37 has a potential future role in the management of infected wounds.

Abstract P377: Collagen Remodeling Of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Undergoing Quinapril Treatment Measured By Three Dimensional Shape Analysis

Introduction: Myocardial collagen structure is a complex three dimensional (3D) hierarchy, organizing cardiomyocytes and providing structural integrity. Changes in collagen organization have a crucial role in cardiac remodeling. However, quantitative methods for the analysis of collagen structures are still lacking. Herein, we apply our collagen shape analysis framework to compare within-sheetlet collagen (both endomysial collagen surrounding myocytes and perimysial cords) against sheetlet-surface collagen (perimysial meshwork collagen deposited between sheetlets) in spontaneously hypertensive rats undergoing quinapril treatment. Hypothesis: The different functional properties of endomysial and perimysial meshwork collagen are linked to their structure and will have markedly different features quantifiable by 3D shape analysis. Methods: Rat myocardium was stained for collagen (picrosirius red), and the left ventricular free wall imaged using extended volume confocal microscopy (0.4 μm 3 voxel size). The 3D image volumes were segmented into within-sheetlet and sheetlet-surface regions. Shape analysis was performed using eigenanalysis of the inertia matrix to derive 3D morphological (elongation and flatness) parameters, characterizing the collagen shape in the two regions. Results: Shape analysis revealed marked differences between within-sheetlet and sheetlet-surface collagen organization. Long-term quinapril treatment resulted in notable differences in within-sheetlet collagen shape in rats at 14 months of age (mo) compared with 24 mo. At 14 mo, the within-sheetlet collagen is a mix of sheet-, ribbon-, and rod-like structures (elongation: 0.43, flatness: 0.05), but by 24 mo this has remodeled to predominately thin rod-like structures (elongation: 0.03, flatness: 0.35). The sheetlet-surface collagen consisted of thick sheet-like structures in both 14 and 24 mo rats (elongation: 0.83 vs 0.79, flatness: 0.13 vs 0.09). Conclusion: Shape analysis in 3D showed marked differences between within-sheetlet and sheetlet-surface collagen structure, as well as differences between early treatment and late treatment of diseased hearts.

Collagen Organization Does Not Influence T-Cell Distribution in Stroma of Human Pancreatic Cancer

The dominant intrastromal T-cell infiltration in pancreatic cancer is mainly caused by the contact guidance through the excessive desmoplastic reaction and could represent one of the obstacles to an effective immune response in this tumor type. This study analyzed the collagen organization in normal and malignant pancreatic tissues as well as its influence on T-cell distribution in pancreatic cancer. Human pancreatic tissue was analyzed using immunofluorescence staining and multiphoton and SHG microscopy supported by multistep image processing. The influence of collagen alignment on activated T-cells was studied using 3D matrices and time-lapse microscopy. It was found that the stroma of malignant and normal pancreatic tissues was characterized by complex individual organization. T-cells were heterogeneously distributed in pancreatic cancer and there was no relationship between T-cell distribution and collagen organization. There was a difference in the angular orientation of collagen alignment in the peritumoral and tumor-cell-distant stroma regions in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue, but there was no correlation in the T-cell densities between these regions. The grade of collagen alignment did not influence the directionality of T-cell migration in the 3D collagen matrix. It can be concluded that differences in collagen organization do not change the spatial orientation of T-cell migration or influence stromal T-cell distribution in human pancreatic cancer. The results of the present study do not support the rationale of remodeling of stroma collagen organization for improvement of T-cell–tumor cell contact in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Effects of focused continuous pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on early tendon-to-bone healing

Aims Rotator cuff (RC) tears are common musculoskeletal injuries which often require surgical intervention. Noninvasive pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices have been approved for treatment of long-bone fracture nonunions and as an adjunct to lumbar and cervical spine fusion surgery. This study aimed to assess the effect of continuous PEMF on postoperative RC healing in a rat RC repair model. Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats underwent acute bilateral supraspinatus tear and repair. A miniaturized electromagnetic device (MED) was implanted at the right shoulder and generated focused PEMF therapy. The animals’ left shoulders served as controls. Biomechanical, histological, and bone properties were assessed at three and six weeks. Results Extension of the tendon from preload to the maximum load to failure was significantly better in the PEMF-treated shoulders at three weeks compared to controls (p = 0.038). The percentage strain was significantly higher in the PEMF group at both timepoints (p = 0.037). Collagen organization was significantly better (p = 0.034) as was tissue mineral density in the PEMF-treated group at three weeks (p = 0.028). Tendon immunohistochemistry revealed a prominent increase in type I collagen at the repair site at three weeks following continuous PEMF treatment compared with controls. None of the other tested parameters differed between the groups. Conclusion MED-generated PEMF may enhance early postoperative tendon-to-bone healing in an acute rat supraspinatus detachment and repair model. Superior biomechanical elasticity parameters together with better collagen organization suggest improved RC healing. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(5):298–306.

A pan-cancer analysis of matrisome proteins reveals CTHRC1and LOXL2 as major ECM regulators across cancers

The extracellular matrix as part of the tumor microenvironment can regulate cancer cell growth and progression. Using TCGA data from 30 cancer types, the top 5% of matrisome genes with amplifications or deletions that affect survival in cancers were identified. Eight of these genes show altered expression in ~50% or more cancers affecting survival in ~20% or more. Among them SNED1 is the most downregulated and CTHRC1 and LOXL2 most upregulated. Differential gene expression analysis of SNED-1 did not identify any genes it regulates across cancers, while CTHRC1 and LOXL2 affected 19 and 5 genes respectively in 3 or more cancers. STRING analysis of these genes classified them as ‘extracellular’, involved prominently in ECM organization. Their correlation and co-occurrence in context of their effect on survival and staging of the disease identified MMP13, POSTN and SFRP4 along with COL11A1, COL10A1, COL1A1, ADAMTS12 and PPAPDC1A as possible interactors of CTHRC1 and LOXL2 in cancers. These are implicated in collagen organization, making it vital to matrisome regulation of cancers. Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium data confirms the changes in expression of these genes along with CTHRC1 and LOXL2 in breast and lung cancer, further supporting their implication as vital pan-cancer matrisome mediators.HighlightsCTHRC1 and LOXL2 are prominently upregulated pan-cancer matrisome genes.High CTHRC1 and LOXL2 expression is associated with disease progression and poor survival in cancers.CTHRC1 with POSTN, MMP13 and SFRP4 and LOXL2 with COL11A1, COL10A1, COL1A1, ADAMTS12 and PPAPDC1A drive matrisome regulation of cancers.CTHRC1 and LOXL2 could prominently drive collagen organization and function across cancers.

Diaphragm muscle fibrosis involves changes in collagen organization with mechanical implications in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), diaphragm muscle dysfunction results in respiratory insufficiency, a leading cause of death in patients. Increased muscle stiffness occurs with buildup of fibrotic tissue, characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen. However, changes in mechanical properties are not explained by collagen amount alone and we must consider the complex structure and mechanics of fibrotic tissue. The goals of our study were to (1) determine if and how collagen organization changes with the progression of DMD in diaphragm muscle tissue, and (2) predict how collagen organization influences the mechanical properties of ECM. We first visualized collagen structure with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and then developed an analysis framework to quantify collagen organization and generate image-based finite-element models. The image analysis revealed significant age- and disease-dependent increases in collagen fiber straightness and alignment, ranging from 4.7 to 13.4%, but collagen fibers retained a transverse orientation relative to muscle fibers. The mechanical models predicted significant age- and disease-dependent increases in transverse effective stiffness and average stress, ranging from 8.8 to 12.4%. Additionally, both healthy and diseased models revealed an increase in transverse stiffness relative to longitudinal stiffness, with significant age- and disease-dependent increases in the ratio of transverse to longitudinal stiffness, ranging from 19.7 to 24.5%. This study revealed changes in diaphragm ECM structure and mechanics during the progression of disease in the mdx muscular dystrophy mouse phenotype, highlighting the need to consider the role of collagen organization on diaphragm muscle function.

Obesity alters the collagen organization and mechanical properties of murine cartilage

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease characterized by cartilage degradation and altered cartilage mechanical properties. Furthermore, it is well established that obesity is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of obesity on the mechanical properties of murine knee cartilage. Two-month old wild type mice were fed either a normal diet or a high fat diet for 16 weeks. Atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation was used to quantify the effective indentation modulus of medial femoral condyle cartilage. Osteoarthritis progression was graded using the OARSI system. Additionally, collagen organization was evaluated with picrosirius red staining imaged using polarized light microscopy. Significant differences between diet groups were assessed using t tests with p < 0.05. Following 16 weeks of a high fat diet, no significant differences in OARSI scoring were detected. However, we detected a significant difference in the effective indentation modulus between diet groups. The reduction in cartilage stiffness is likely the result of disrupted collagen organization in the superficial zone, as indicated by altered birefringence on polarized light microscopy. Collectively, these results suggest obesity is associated with changes in knee cartilage mechanical properties, which may be an early indicator of disease progression.