Abstracto

Materials Science and Mechanics of Collagenous Tissues

Frederick H Silver and Dale DeVore

Collagen is the major structural protein found in mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM). ECMs act as biological mechanotransducers that prevent premature mechanical failure of tissues, store and transmit energy created by muscular deformation, and amplify protein synthesis and cell division as the applied stress and loads are increased (mechanochemical transduction). Fibrous collagens play important roles in health and disease processes much of which depends on the mechanical properties of these tissues. The purpose of this paper is to summarize our knowledge of relationship between the structure and mechanical properties of fibrous collagens in vertebrates.