Molecular and tissue alterations of collagens in fibrosis
Sylvie Ricard-Blum1, Georges Baffet2, Nathalie Théret2
1University Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA Lyon, CPE, Institute of Molecular and Supramolecular Chemistry and Biochemistry, UMR 5246, F-69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France.
Abstract:
The collagen network is altered in fibrotic diseases associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis and remodeling. This mini-review focuses on the quantitative and qualitative modifications of collagens occurring at the molecular and tissue levels in fibrosis. They result from changes in collagen expression, biosynthesis, enzymatic cross-linking and degradation by several protease families. These molecular modifications, which are mostly regulated by TGF-β, are associated with altered collagen organization at the tissue level, leading to a fibrotic signature that can be analyzed by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy.
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