Characterisation of structural changes in collagen with Raman spectroscopy

Altered collagen structure in mouse tail tendon lacking the α2(I) chain

Raman spectroscopy (RS) is an advanced optical technique that enables rapid, non-invasive, and highly specific chemical analysis of tissues and materials at the molecular level. In dentistry, RS shows significant clinical promise across various fields, including diagnostics, treatment monitoring, biomaterial assessment, and oral oncology. The technique allows for early detection of caries, real-time evaluation of biofilm, and monitoring of tissue regeneration processes after surgical interventions. Additionally, RS plays a crucial role in orthodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontology by offering insights into changes in mineral content, collagen structure, and interactions at the material–tissue interface. Despite challenges such as signal weakness, fluorescence interference, and cost, advances in RS technologies—including signal amplification methods and portable devices—are expanding its accessibility and clinical utility. Integration with artificial intelligence and multimodal imaging techniques further enhances the diagnostic potential of RS. This review outlines the current state of knowledge on RS in dentistry, discusses technological developments, and highlights its future clinical applications.

Analysis of the infrared spectrum of polyvinyl chloride has permitted the identification, from the frequencies of the several CCl stretching bands, of the chain conformations which are associated with particular chlorine pair configurations. These results have made it possible to establish that changes in conformational structure accompany certain changes in physical state of the polymer. Possible interpretations of the origins of these structural changes are considered.

A comprehensive Raman scattering-based characterization of a full bio-based polyamide loaded with graphene nanoplatelets or layered double hydroxides (LDH) was assessed. The potential of the Raman spectroscopy was used to reveal several particularities of the nanocomposite structures induced by thermal treatment. Thus, a complete morpho-structural picture was obtained in combination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the neat polyamide and polyamide nanocomposites exposed at different thermal conditions (room temperature, 80 °C, and 145 °C). The analysis of G, D and 2D Raman peaks and their relative intensity ratio ID/IG, revealed the fact that the presence of graphene in polyamide is suitable for improving the essential physical properties and is also responsible for the decrease in the defects’ occurrence in the graphene layers. The surface of nanocomposites based on full bio-based polyamide, with different 2D fillers (graphenic and non-graphenic structures), was carefully evaluated before and after the thermal treatment by employing SEM and Raman analyses. The two thermal treatments allowed different chain mobility of the polymer (first temperature being over the polymer Tg and second one close to the melting phase in the viscoelastic stage). The spectroscopic and microscopic investigation was used to determine the conformational changes in filler aggregates and polymer surface, respectively.

Structure and conformation of intramolecularly cross-linked collagen

The motor enzymes that belong to the family of RNA helicases catalyze the strand separation of duplex RNA via ATP hydrolysis. Among these enzymes, Escherichia coli DbpA is a unique RNA helicase because it possesses ATPase-specific activity toward the peptidyl transferase center in 23 S ribosomal RNA. For this reason, it has been the subject of numerous biochemical and structure-function studies. The ATP-stimulated unwinding activity of DbpA toward specific and nonspecific RNA duplexes has been demonstrated. However, the underlying molecular and structural basis, which facilitates its helicase activities, is presently not known. We combined time-dependent limited proteolysis digestion, fluorescence spectroscopy, and three-dimensional structural homology modeling techniques to study the structural conformations of DbpA with respect to its binding to stoichiometric ratios of RNA and cofactors. We show that the conformational state of DbpA is markedly different in the ADP-bound state than in any other state (ATP- or RNA-bound). These results, together with structural homology studies, suggest that a hinge region located in the core domain of DbpA mediates such conformational changes.

Changes in the structural properties of the skin due to collagen alterations are an important factor in diabetic skin complications. Using a combination of photonic methods as an optic diagnostic tool, we investigated the structural alteration in rat dermal collagen I in diabetes, and after short-term l-arginine treatment. The multiplex approach shows that in the early phase of diabetes, collagen fibers are partially damaged, resulting in the heterogeneity of fibers, e.g., "patchy patterns" of highly ordered/disordered fibers, while l-arginine treatment counteracts to some extent the conformational changes in collagen-induced by diabetes and mitigates the damage. Raman spectroscopy shows intense collagen conformational changes via amides I and II in diabetes, suggesting that diabetes-induced structural changes in collagen originate predominantly from individual collagen molecules rather than supramolecular structures. There is a clear increase in the amounts of newly synthesized proline and hydroxyproline after treatment with l-arginine, reflecting the changed collagen content. This suggests that it might be useful for treating and stopping collagen damage early on in diabetic skin. Our results demonstrate that l-arginine attenuates the early collagen I alteration caused by diabetes and that it could be used to treat and prevent collagen damage in diabetic skin at a very early stage.

Chapter 2 - Fibrillogenesis and Maturation of Collagens

Collagenase treatment of cartilage serves as an in vitro model of the pathological collagen degradation that occurs in the disease osteoarthritis (OA). Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopic (FT-IRIS) analysis of collagenase-treated cartilage is performed to elucidate the molecular origin of the spectral changes previously found at the articular surface of human OA cartilage. Bovine cartilage explants are treated with 0.1% collagenase for 0, 15, or 30 min. In situ collagen cleavage is assessed using immunofluorescent staining with an antibody specific for broken type II collagen. The FT-IRIS analysis of the control and treated specimens mirrors the differences previously found between normal and OA cartilage using an infrared fiber optic probe (IFOP). With collagenase treatment, the amide II/1338 cm(-1) area ratio increases while the 1238 cm(-1)/1227 cm(-1) peak ratio decreases. In addition, polarized FT-IRIS demonstrates a more random orientation of the collagen fibrils that correlate spatially with the immunofluorescent-determined regions of broken type II collagen. We can therefore conclude that the spectral changes observed in the collagenase-treated cartilage, and similarly in OA cartilage, arise from changes in collagen structure. These findings support the use of mid-infrared spectral analysis, in particular the minimally invasive IFOP, as potential techniques for the diagnosis and management of degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Allografts have been used in a variety of applications to augment as well as replace tissues throughout the body. A number of steps are involved in selection, harvesting, processing and testing of dermal allografts. Grafts can be obtained that are: free of antibodies to viruses and low in viral titers. Cellular material can be eliminated from the tissue and the product becomes almost exclusively a collagen fiber network. The purpose of this paper is to examine the changes in collagen structure and properties that occur during processing of decellularized dermis. The results indicate that collagen fiber swelling occurs during processing although the product preserves the native collagen banding pattern at the fibrillar structural level. Fiber swelling and decreased collagen deformability of processed dermis, may lead to stress concentration at the implant-tissue interface and up-regulation of mechanotransduction. This may lead to premature mechanical failure due to creation of a chronic inflammatory condition at the implant-tissue interface. It is suggested that all dermal allografts be oriented such that Langer’s lines of the implant match those of the host tissue, and that wound closure by suturing be done under conditions that preserve the normal tension in skin in order to minimize implant-interfacial failure.

Holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty corrects hyperopia (farsightedness) by producing small areas of corneal collagen shrinkage that cause the central cornea to bulge outward, increasing optical power. Collagen shrinkage is probably caused by laser-heated corneal water, but details of the shrinkage mechanism are not known. We investigated the shrinkage mechanism by measuring changes in corneal ultrastructure, surface shrinkage, water content, and strength following Ho:YAG laser exposures. Morphological changes in collagen were documented by measurements from electron micrographs. Corneal adhesive strength was determined by measuring tearing force in a plane parallel to the corneal surface. Laser-induced water loss was measured by weighing corneal samples before and after exposure. Corneal surface shrinkage was assessed by photographing the movement of particles on the cornea. Lasered collagen fibrils increased in diameter, lost their orderly arrangement, and appeared `frayed.' The corneal surface contracted toward lasered areas with a maximal shift of approximately 190 micrometers , more than could be explained by a model based on collagen fibril changes. Water loss plays a minor role in corneal shrinkage since corneal samples lost about only about 1.4% of their weight after massive laser exposure. Despite marked changes in collagen structure, corneal adhesive force was unchanged.

We have performed multi-photon image reconstructions as well as polarization state analyses inside an artery wall affected by atherosclerosis to investigate the changes in collagen structure. Mice, either healthy or affected by spontaneous atherosclerosis, have been used for this purpose. A two-photon imaging system has been used to investigate atherosclerotic lesions in the ascending aorta of mice. Second harmonic imaging has been performed alternatively on healthy samples and on affected region. The reconstructed images show that the spatial distribution of the collagen network seems disorganized by the disease. The polarization state studies reveal however that the apparent disorganization of the collagen is related to its spatially diffuse distribution and that the internal structure of the collagen fibers is not affected by the disease. In addition, a theoretical simulation of the second harmonic polarization states shows that they are consistent with the known 3D structure of the collagen network.

A preliminary investigation of tissue autofluorescence and uptake of the photosensitiser protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) has been investigated using multiphoton imaging of excised oesophageal tissue. The technique has indicated that changes in collagen structure may be a potential marker for high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Changes in the localisation of PpIX with the development of malignancy in oesophageal tissue were also visualised.

Depth- and direction-dependent changes in solute transport following cross-linking with riboflavin and UVA light in ex vivo porcine cornea

Green solvents, such as propylene carbonate (PC), can be used in leather processing to improve the efficiency of chrome tanning and reduce wastewater. Here we report a combined small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study on PC and its efficacy as a carrier medium during chrome tanning. SAXS analysis on the collagen structure of chrome tanned leather using PC, compared to conventionally tanned leather using water, showed an increase in Cr uptake in addition to the more uniform penetration of Cr through the leather cross-section. The increased binding of Cr to the collagen matrix drives the decreased hydration environment of the collagen triple helix. Furthermore, DSC studies show a uniform hydrothermal stability for the PC samples due to the more even distribution of Cr through the collagen matrix. Understanding the mechanisms by which chrome tanning occurs in non-aqueous solvents can guide us towards a more sustainable future for the leather industry.Graphical abstract