Effect of heat on some collagen cross-links

Relationship between meat quality and intramuscular collagen characteristics of muscles from calf-fed, yearling-fed and mature crossbred beef cattle

Intramuscular Ehrlich Chromogen (EC) and pyridinoline (Pyr) concentrations in the gluteus medius (GM) and semitendinosus (ST) from crossbred Angus calf- (n = 14) and yearling-fed (n = 14) steer and mature cow (MC, n = 12) carcasses were related to collagen and intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) thermal stability and peak Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). In both muscles, Pyr density was greater in MC, while EC concentrations were comparable in calf- and yearling-fed steer muscles and lowest in MC muscles. Thermal denaturation temperature and enthalpy of IMCT were highest in both muscles when from MC, although only total collagen was correlated with WBSF in calf fed-yearling fed steer data. Results confirmed that EC concentration contributed to collagen thermal stability in steer muscles, but decreased it in MC muscles, while Pyr was consistently associated with collagen thermal stability.

Cross-link stabilization does not affect the response of collagen molecules, fibrils, or tendons to tensile overload

We investigated whether immature allysine-derived cross-links provide mechanically labile linkages by exploring the effects of immature cross-link stabilization at three levels of collagen hierarchy: damaged fibril morphology, whole tendon mechanics, and molecular stability. Tendons from the tails of young adult steers were either treated with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) to stabilize labile cross-links, exposed only to the buffer used during stabilization treatment, or maintained as untreated controls. One-half of each tendon was then subjected to five cycles of subrupture overload. Morphologic changes to collagen fibrils resulting from overload were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, and changes in the hydrothermal stability of collagen molecules were assessed using hydrothermal isometric tension testing. NaBH4 cross-link stabilization did not affect the response of tendon collagen to tensile overload at any of the three levels of hierarchy studied. Cross-link stabilization did not prevent the characteristic overload-induced mode of fibril damage that we term discrete plasticity. Similarly, stabilization did not alter the mechanical response of whole tendons to overload, and did not prevent an overload-induced thermal destabilization of collagen molecules. Our results indicate that hydrothermally labile cross-links may not be as mechanically labile as was previously thought.

Differences in collagen cross-linking between the four valves of the bovine heart: a possible role in adaptation to mechanical fatigue

Hydrothermal isometric tension (HIT) testing and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to assess the molecular stability and cross-link population of collagen in the four valves of the adult bovine heart. Untreated and NaBH4-treated tissues under isometric tension were heated in a water bath to a 90°C isotherm that was sustained for 5 h. The denaturation temperature (Td), associated with hydrogen bond rupture and molecular stability, and the half-time of load decay ( t1/2), associated with peptide bond hydrolysis and intermolecular cross-linking, were calculated from acquired load/temperature/time data. An unpaired group of samples of the same population was biochemically assayed for the types and quantities of enzymatic cross-links present. Tissues known to endure higher in vivo transvalvular pressures had lower Td values, suggesting that molecular stability is inversely related to in vivo loading. The treated inflow valves (mitral and tricuspid) had significantly lower t1/2 values than did treated outflow valves (aortic and pulmonary), suggesting lower overall cross-linking in the inflow valves. Inflow valves were also found to fail during HIT testing significantly more often than outflow valves, also suggestive of a decreased cross-link population. Inflow valves may be remodeling at a faster rate and may be at an earlier state of molecular “maturity” than outflow valves. At the molecular level, the thermal stability of collagen is associated with in vivo loading and may be influenced by the mature, aldimine-derived cross-link, histidinohydroxylysinonorleucine. We conclude that the valves of the heart utilize differing, location-specific strategies to resist biomechanical fatigue loading.

Hydrothermal isometric tension curves from different connective tissues. Role of collagen genetic types and noncollagenous components

Variations in hydrothermal isometric tension (HIT) were recorded in tendons, ligaments, skin, blood vessels, nerves, palatal mucosa, lungs, muscles, cartilages, demineralized bones and dentine from donors of different ages and species. The curves obtained during a linear rise in temperature from 37 degrees C to 100 degrees C at a rate of 1.15 degrees C/min were classified into three major families, A, B and C, depending on whether these curves displayed an early maximum, two shoulders or a late maximum. The ratio of heat-labile to heat-stable cross-links in the tissue's collagen network was shown to determine the type of curve obtained, but the genetic types of collagen in the tissue and the amount and quality of its noncollagenous components were not important in this respect. These results are discussed in the light of the accepted view that HIT variations are due to the rubber-elastic properties of gelatin.

Isometric tensions developed during the hydrothermal swelling of rat skin

Isometric tensions developed in connective tissue under the influence of temperature have previously been measured by their effect on a "shrinkage" phenomenon observed along the main axis of the collagen fibers. A new device, built and tested in our laboratory enabled us to obtain isometric tension curves by measuring a "swelling" phenomenon observed in other directions. Curves recorded in the two systems have been compared. Shapes were unchanged and the parameters chosen to define these morphologies showed the same values in both types of experiments. The parameters, which are independent of maximal tension, were also found to be independent of the total collagen content of the sample. Interpretation of the results suggests that these parameters depend not only on the nature but also on the density of the collagen crosslinks. The new device is applicable to minute tissue samples, whatever their fragility and fiber orientation.

Insoluble collagen of methylcholanthrene induced sarcoma

The insoluble collagen from methylcholanthrene induced sarcoma was isolated and characterized. It contains more glycine, hydroxyproline and acidic amino acids than normal connective tissue collagen. An anionic character of tumour collagen was stated (pI 6.1). No typical collagen subunits in this protein were found. The tumour collagen is strongly bound to acidic glycoprotein containing a significant amount of hydroxylysine. Such an insoluble complex is resistant to the dispersing action of EDTA. It dissociates during heating in concentrated urea.

Comparison of the cyanogen bromide peptides of insoluble guinea-pig skin and scar collagen

Insoluble guinea-pig skin collagen and insoluble dermal scar collagen were cleaved with CNBr and the peptides derived from the alpha1-chain were separated by ion-exchange and molecular-sieve chromatography. Comparison of the peptides from scar collagen with those from skin collagen showed that the former contained more hydroxylysine. Separation of the CNBr peptides showed that this increase in hydroxylysine was found not only in the non-helical regions, but was also seen down the helical portion of the molecule. Separation of the peptides revealed the presence of more peptides in digests of skin collagen than those of scar, and these have been attributed to the presence of Type III collagen in skin, but no evidence was found for the presence of this Type III collagen in dermal scar tissue.