Tendon Structure-Function Relationships and Injury-Repair
The overall objective of this area of research is to investigate the relationship between structural organization, composition, and mechanical function of tendon/ligament for functional tissue engineering, development, and healing, in addition to evaluating the roles of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), quantitatively minor collagens including collagen III, collagen V, collagen XI, and collagen XII through maturation and aging and in the repair response to tendon injury. These multidisciplinary studies utilize organizational, compositional, and biomechanical assays to provide a comprehensive study. These studies are critical for identifying mechanisms driving tissue injury and repair as well as data to guide functional tissue engineering strategies. Specific, ongoing research in this area includes the following:
- Injury response in normal and EDS tendons: Regulatory roles of collagen V
- Mouse models for SLRP roles in tendon aging and impaired healing in aging tendons
- Differential roles of collagen V in establishing the regional properties in mature and aging supraspinatus tendons
- Collagen XI and XI/V regulatory mechanisms in assembly of tendon hierarchical structure and acquisition of mechanical properties in development and injury response