Regulatory Role of Collagen V in Establishing Mechanical Properties of Tendons and Ligaments is Tissue-Dependent

摘要

Patients with classic (type I) Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), characterized by heterozygous mutations in the Col5a1 and Col5a2 genes, exhibit connective tissue hyperelasticity and recurrent joint dislocations, indicating a potential regulatory role for collagen V in joint stabilizing soft tissues. This study asked whether the contribution of collagen V to the establishment of mechanical properties is tissue-dependent. We mechanically tested four different tissues from wild type and targeted collagen V-null mice: the flexor digitorum longus tendon (FDL), Achilles tendon (ACH), the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the supraspinatus tendon (SST). Area was significantly reduced in the Col5a1^ΔTen/ΔTen group in the FDL, ACH, and SST. Maximum load and stiffness were reduced in the Col5a1^ΔTen/ΔTen group for all tissues. However, insertion site and midsubstance modulus were reduced only for the ACL and SST. This study provides evidence that the regulatory role of collagen V in extracellular matrix assembly is tissue-dependent and that joint instability in classic EDS may be caused in part by insufficient mechanical properties of the tendons and ligaments surrounding each joint.