The molecular and cellular differences between tendons and ligaments


Ashraf Kharaz, Y ORCID: 0000-0003-4925-0206 (2015) The molecular and cellular differences between tendons and ligaments. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

[img] Text
Yalda Ashraf-Kharaz Thesis .pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript
Access to this file is embargoed until Unspecified.
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (7MB)
[img] Text
AshrafkharazYal_Mar2015_2048079.pdf - Unspecified
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (7MB)

Abstract

Tendons and ligaments play key roles in the musculoskeletal system in both man and animals. Both tissues can often be injured as result of contact based accidents or ageing and disease, causing discomfort, pain and increased susceptibility to degenerative joint disease. To date, tendon and ligament biology is relatively under-studied in healthy, non-diseased tissues. This information is essential to understand the pathology of these tissues and vital for future development of tendon and ligament tissue-engineered structures. This thesis aims to investigate the molecular and cellular differences between tendons and ligaments around the canine stifle joint. The biochemical composition, structural, and morphological characteristics were identified between the different regions of the intra- articular cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) and extra-articular medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the positional long digital extensor tendon (LDET) and energy storing superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT). Differences in proteome composition were also assessed between CCL and LDET. Cells isolated from canine CCL and LDET were cultured in a 3D in vitro fibrin culture model and measured for differences in structural, biochemical and proteome composition. Statistical significant differences in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition in terms of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and elastin content were primarily detected in CCL in comparison to the other three tissues. The CCL was also found to have morphological differences including less compact collagen architecture, differences in cell nuclei phenotype, and increased (GAG) and elastin content. Proteomic comparison between CCL and LDET resulted in significantly abundant fibrocartilage proteins such as collagen type II, aggrecan, versican and chondroadherin in CCL, while the LDET was more abundant in asporin and thrombospondin-4. 3D tendon and ligament constructs were able to recapitulate tendon and ligamentous tissue characteristics particularly with regards to ECM proteins present, however both construct were less abundant in ECM protein and contained a greater proportion of cellular proteins, corresponding with low collagen and high level of DNA content measured in both constructs. 3D tendon and ligament constructs derived from tendon and ligament cells had similar ECM, proteomic and structural composition, indicating that cell source may not be an important factor for tendon or ligament tissue engineering.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Additional Information: Date: 2015-03-10 (completed)
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2016 15:44
Last Modified: 16 Dec 2022 04:44
DOI: 10.17638/02048079
Supervisors:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2048079
Dimensions
Altmetric
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)