Tendon structure-function in development and healing
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:
- Collagen III differential roles in temporal regulation of tendon healing across ages
- Critical role of collagen XII in cell- and matrix-mediated mechanisms regulating acquisition of tendon structure and function in development and the injury response
- 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
- Glycosaminoglycan-Mediated Fibril Sliding and its Role in Fatigue-Induced Microdamage and Rupture in Aged and Healing Achilles Tendons