Increased c-telopeptide cross-linking of tendon type i collagen in fibromodulin-deficient mice

Abstract

Background: Collagen cross-linking mechanisms must be regulated to obtain tissue-specific collagen fiber properties. Results: Deficiency in collagen-associated protein fibromodulin leads to excessively cross-linked specific domain of collagen. Conclusion: Fibromodulin modulates site-specific cross-linking of collagen. Significance: This is the first report showing that a collagen-associated protein can modulate cross-linking of specific collagen domains. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.