The Collagens Biochemistry And Pathophysiology

This book describes every manner in which collagen is involved in normal anddisease-altered states of the various organs and systems. In the first part of the book the biochemical aspects of collagens are reviewed, including their structure, heterogeneity, syntheses, and degradation. The main part focuses on the involvement of collagen in bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, heart, vessels, lungs, liver, skin, eye, ear, teeth, periodontal tissues, kidneys and reproductive, hemopoietic,and nervous systems. The influence of radiation and nutrition on collagen, the role of collagen in neoplasms, the hormonal control of its metabolism, immunobiology and the pharmacology of collagen are also described. The most important feature of the book is the comprehensive review of the medical aspects of collagen, from those known in detail to those only hypothesized including hereditary disorders affecting collagen and so-called collagen diseases. Each chapter reviewsknown or possible mechanisms of collagen involvement and changes in indices of collagen which can be measured in clinical practice to monitor these phenomena. The fact that collagen is involved into the pathophysiology of almost all organs and body systems means that physicians in almost all branches of medicine will find this book of great interest.

connective tissues are essential for the physical functioning of the animals's body. The condition of the various connective tissues is governed by biochemical factors, anabolism and catabolism, that are controlled by specific enzymes. Any change outside the normal range of metabolism, for instance induced by immunological reactions, may induce a pathological disturbance. The result can be acute or chronic inflammation, or loss of normal function, expressed in loosening, dilatation, breaking, wear, stiffness, shrinking, scars, stenosis, and cirrhosis or any other kind of fibrosis. A first step toward improving our understanding of the feedback mecha nism that maintains the biological status and texture of a given connective tissue is to combine what is known about synthesis and enzymatic degradation of the components of fibers and ground substance. Common pathological phenomena like chronic inflammation of immune reactions can be either the result of the cause of disturbances in the sensitive balance of connective tissue metabolism. Nowadays con nective tissues are less and less regarded as brady trophic tissue but rather as a stimulating and many-sided problem of research. Before we can understand the pathogenesis of the connective tissue diseases that result in the destructive processes mentioned above, basic research will be necessary. This research will be furthered by a constant exchange of information and the results of· observations. To promote this exchange of information between scientists, symposia on connective tissue research are organized at regular intervals.

This series was conceived with the idea of integrating current aspects of ongoing research in the collagen field. The book consists of a spectrum of papers which discus divers aspects such as X-ray structure, the thermodynamics and mechanism of fibrillogenesis, and the use of collagen as a biomaterial for the manufacturing of many implantable, sometimes lifesaving, devises.

Biochemistry of Collagens, Laminins, and Elastin: Structure, Function, and Biomarkers provides a comprehensive introduction to collagen and structural proteins. Type I collagen is one of the most abundant molecules in the body, playing essential roles in different tissues, particularly bone and skin. A key aspect of type I collagen is its post-translational modifications which are essential for correct synthesis and structural integrity of collagens, for tissue-specific functionality, as well as for application as biomarkers of different pathologies. This volume summarizes current data on key structural proteins (collagens, laminins and elastin), reviews how these molecules affect pathologies, and describes selected modifications of proteins that result in altered signaling properties of the original extracellular matrix component. Further, it discusses the novel concept that an increasing number of components of the ECM harbor cryptic signaling functions that may be viewed as endocrine functions. Additionally, it highlights how this knowledge can be exploited to modulate fibrotic disease. Provides a comprehensive introduction to collagen and structural proteins Provides insight into emerging analytical technologies that can detect biomarkers of extracellular matrix degradation Includes a chapter dedicated to the biomarkers of structural proteins Contains insights into the biochemical interactions and changes to structural composition of proteins in disease states

This book is a collection of works that canvass many of the recent developments in various areas of connective tissue research. It focuses on the structure of the components, molecular organization and pathology of the extracellular matrix.

This volume is a reference handbook focusing on diseases like Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and other heritable soft connective tissue diseases. The book presents detailed information for both basic scientists and for clinicians seeing patients. It is also a stepping stone for new investigations and studies that goes beyond the facts about the composition and biochemistry of the connective tissue and extracellular matrix, as the authors connect individual components to specific aspects of various soft tissue disorders and to the actual or potential treatment of them. Progress in Heritable Soft Connective Tissue Diseases features very prominent physicians and scientists as contributors who bring their most recent discoveries to the benefit of readers. Their expertise will help clinicians with proper diagnosis of sometimes elusive and uncommon heritable diseases of soft connective tissues. This book also offers an update on the pathophysiology of these diseases, including an emphasis on unifying aspects such as connections between embryonic development of the different types of connective tissues and systems, and the role of TGF-beta in development and physiology of soft tissues. This new set of data explains, at least in part, why many of these disorders are interconnected, though the primary pathophysiological events, such as gene mutations, may be different for each disorder.

This series was conceived with the idea of integrating current aspects of ongoing research in the collagen field. The book consists of a spectrum of papers which discus divers aspects such as X-ray structure, the thermodynamics and mechanism of fibrillogenesis, and the use of collagen as a biomaterial for the manufacturing of many implantable, sometimes lifesaving, devises.