Structure and conformation of intramolecularly cross-linked collagen

Raman spectroscopy can detect conformational changes in collagen structures and these findings are reviewed in this article. More specifically, some progressive diseases are mainly caused by alterations of collagen molecules but what is occurring at the biochemical level of this complex molecule usually remains unclear. While it may be true that a number of analytical techniques can analyze collagen, most of them have a series of limitations that limit their applicability to a wide range of samples. To understand in more detail the progression of a disease due to changes in the collagen structure, a technique that can detect subtle alterations at the biochemical level is needed. Raman spectroscopy is a label-free and noninvasive technique that can easily pick up on any conformational changes reflected primarily at the lipids, amides and proline and hydroxyproline regions. This review is the first compilation of studies of conformational changes in collagen molecules, providing help to understand changes in collagen biochemistry that can be of relevance to the human wound healing, ageing and pathologies.

The fibrillogenic L178H variant of apolipoprotein A-I forms helical fibrils

The purpose of this study was to explore the water retention mechanism of chicken claws by detecting the structural changes in collagen in boneless chicken claws under different expansion rates. Firstly, boneless chicken claw collagen with different expansion rates (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) was extracted by the acid-enzyme complex method, and the changes in collagen were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance LF-NMR) and surface hydrophobicity to explore the mechanism that leads to changes in the water retention performance. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that with the increase in the expansion rate, collagen molecules showed curling, shrinking, breaking and crosslinking, forming a loose and irregular pore-like denatured collagen structure. UV analysis showed that the maximum absorption wavelength of chicken claw collagen was blue shifted under different expansion rates, and the maximum absorption peak intensity increased first and then decreased with the increase in expansion rate. The FTIR results showed that collagen had obvious characteristic absorption peaks in the amide A, B, I, II and III regions under different expansion rates, and that the intensity and position of the characteristic absorption peaks changed with the expansion rate. The results of the CD analysis showed that collagen at different expansion rates had obvious positive absorption peaks at 222 nm, and that the position of negative absorption peaks was red shifted with the increase in expansion rate. This shows that the expansion treatment makes the collagen of chicken claw partially denatured, and that the triple helix structure becomes relaxed or unwound, which provides more space for the combination of water molecules, thus enhancing the water absorption capacity of boneless chicken claw. The results of the surface hydrophobicity test showed that the surface hydrophobicity of boneless chicken claw collagen increased with the increase in expansion rate and reached the maximum at a 30% expansion rate, and then decreased with the further increase in the expansion rate. The results of LF-NMR showed that the water content of boneless chicken claws increased significantly after the expansion treatment, and that the water retention performance of chicken claws was further enhanced with the increase in the expansion rate. In this study, boneless chicken claws were used as raw materials, and the expansion process of boneless chicken claws was optimized by acid combined with a water-retaining agent, which improved the expansion rate of boneless chicken claws and the quality of boneless chicken claws. The effects of the swelling degree on the collagen structure, water absorption and water retention properties of boneless chicken claws were revealed by structural characterization. These findings explain the changes in the water retention of boneless chicken claws after expansion. By optimizing the expansion treatment process, the water retention performance and market added value of chicken feet products can be significantly improved, which is of great economic significance.

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

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

Histotoxic clostridia produce collagenases responsible for extensive tissue destruction in gas gangrene. The C-terminal collagen-binding domain (CBD) of these enzymes is the minimal segment required to bind to collagen fibril. Collagen binding efficiency of CBD is more pronounced in the presence of Ca(2+). We have shown that CBD can be functional to anchor growth factors in local tissue. A (1)H-(15)N HSQC NMR titration study with three different tropocollagen analogues ((POG)(10))(3), ((GPOG)(7)PRG)(3), and (GPRG(POG)(7)C-carbamidomethyl)(3), mapped a saddle-like binding cleft on CBD. NMR titrations with three nitroxide spin-labeled analogues of collagenous peptide, (PROXYL-G(POG)(7)PRG)(3), (PROXYL-G(POG)(7))(3), and (GPRG(POG)(7)C-PROXYL)(3) (where PROXYL represents 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-l-pyrrolidinyloxy), unambiguously demonstrated unidirectional binding of CBD to the tropocollagen analogues. Small angle x-ray scattering data revealed that CBD binds closer to a terminus for each of the five different tropocollagen analogues, which in conjunction with NMR titration studies, implies a binding mode where CBD binds to the C terminus of the triple helix.

Abstractβ‐Lactoglobulin in 50 mM Tris/HCl buffer at pH 7 was subjected to combined pressure and temperature treatments using a central composite experimental design. Pressures up to 294 MPa, temperatures up to 62 °C and processing times up to 30 min were studied. The molecular structure at the secondary and tertiary levels was analysed post‐processing using far‐ and near‐UV circular dichroism. It was found that, although the pressures applied were moderate, the far‐UV circular dichroism spectra showed important changes corresponding to an increase in α‐helix content. The tertiary structure was almost completely lost for the highest processing intensities. This suggests a transition to the molten globule state. The percentage change in molar ellipticity at 293 nm (tertiary structure) was found to be linearly connected to the three independent variables, hence possibly allowing process optimisation for that response. Pressure was found to be the most important parameter to bring about the molecular changes at the two molecular levels investigated. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Adenosine, AMP, S-adenosylhomocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, aristeromycin and 25 other synthetic adenosine analogs modified in the 4' or 5' positions show certain groups of different circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Both positive and negative Cotton effects can occur in the long-wavelength part (250-270 nm) of the spectra. Molar ellipticities [theta] range from -6000 (in adenosine 5'-carboxylate) to +4000 deg. cm2 dmol-1 (in 5'-deoxy-5'iodoadenosine), including some compounds with small, polar 5'-substituents in which low-intensity bands are found in signed pairs. Most of these adenosine derivatives that have the same adenine chromophore and a ribofuranose moiety unsubstituted in the 2' and 3' positions prefer an anti-conformation of the adenine base, as evidenced by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the majority of cases, electronic perturbations of the chromophore or major alterations of the assymmetric sugar residue can be excluded as sources of the CD variations. Therefore a correlation of the long-wavelength CD bands with the glycosyl torsion angle phiCN is suggested, where the gauche, gauche/anti combination which is typical of AMP in the crystal and in solution (phiCN approximately -40degrees, [theta] negative) is one reference point and a region for phiCN = 0degrees ([theta] positive) is assigned to compounds with space-filling substituents such as S-adenosylmethionine. Both negative and positive Cotton effects can be associated with the anti conformation range. Within this series, the base conformation of novel nucleoside structures could be predicted from CD measurements. The CD spectrum gives no indication, however, of whether a certain torsion angle is the result of a rigid structure (as in AMP) or the average value of a molecule with high rotational freedom (as in 5'-deoxyadenosine). The conformations of aristeromycin and 4'-thioadenosine are discussed in relation to adenosine, and a structure-determining effect of the 4' bridge atom is noted.