[Tissular collagen polymerization (author's transl)].

Abstract

The type of collagen reticulation exerts an influence on biological, physiological and mechanical properties of tissues, thus the utility of its study. Chemical techniques allow both localization and evaluation of levels and origin (Schiff base or aldol) of reducible bonds in collagen. Physical techniques allow evaluation of the thermolability or thermostability, as well as the degree of collagen reticulation in a given tissue for all collagen bridges. Results by these methods have shown that the mode of tissular collagen reticulation evolves from the embryonic phase to senescence, the rate varying as a function of the tissue and species of the donor. Thus, during tissular reparation, the newly formed collagen network itself undergoes transformations. Cicatricial tissue thus gives rise to an anisotropic zone in particular in terms of mechanical properties, in the organ. This can have grave pathological consequences. In addition to these wide areas of study, a certain number of specific diseases, frequently genetic, show pathological changes in collagen polymerization, the molecular mechanisms for which are now becoming better known.