Age-related changes in the structure of proteoglycan link proteins present in normal human articular cartilage

Abstract

Link proteins were identified immunologically in human articular-cartilage protein preparations from various individuals. Irrespective of age, all cartilages contained three link proteins of mol.wts. 48,000, 44,000 and 41,000 However, with increasing age, multiple additional components of mol.wts. 26,000-30,000 were commonly observed under conditions where disulphide bonds were reduced.