# PROTEOGLYCAN STRUCTURE, METABOLISM AND ROLE IN TENDON

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO · 1988 · $171,818

## Abstract

The long term objective of this research is to better understand
how the composition and material properties of an extracellular
matrix are influenced by the mechanical forces to which that matrix
is subjected.  Experiments are proposed to investigate the
structure, metabolism and role of proteoglycan constituents in the
extracellular matrix of a normal dense regular connective tissue,
tendon.  The transformation of a region of bovine deep flexor
tendon into a compression-resistant structure containing increased
amounts of large proteoglycans and a fibrocartilaginous
organization will be documented biochemically and histologically,
from the time that a newborn animal begins to walk until the region
is fully developed.  In addition, pieces of bovine flexor tendon
will be maintained in culture and subjected to controlled long term
cyclic compressive loading utilizing a device designed and built
by the investigators.  The ability of compressive loading to
maintain synthesis of large, cartilage-like proteoglycans in tissue
from regions of tendon that make such molecules in vivo will be
tested, using biochemical and immunological assays.  In addition,
the response to compressive loading of tendon that does not
normally show this fibrocartilaginous differentiation, and of young
tissue that has not yet shown this differentiation, will be
assessed.  The hypothesis to be tested is that fibroblasts of
tendon respond to compressive forces by synthesizing specific
molecular components, such as large proteoglycans, that are
responsible for the appropriate material properties of that matrix.
The regulation of synthesis of both large and small proteoglycans
by application of tensile forces to tendon in culture will also be
investigated.  Molecular probes developed to recognize the core
protein of large proteoglycans in cartilage will be assessed for
hybridization to mRNA in cells from the tensional and compressional
regions of tendon The relative expression of this specific RNA will
be determined in each tendon region.  In addition, the appearance
and localization of cells responsible for producing the cartilage-
like molecules under compressive loading will be determined, using
in situ hybridization techniques.

Restoration of function to a damaged tendon is a difficult medical
problem.  Investigation of the capability of young and adult tendon
fibroblasts to modulate proteoglycan synthesis and thus alter the
functional properties of their extracellular matrix is relevant
both to basic cell and tissue biology as well as to development of
more rational surgical procedures and therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157477
- **Project number:** 2R01AR036110-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F6XLTRUQJEN4
- **Principal Investigator:** KATHRYN G VOGEL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $171,818
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1985-09-23 → 1993-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157477, PROTEOGLYCAN STRUCTURE, METABOLISM AND ROLE IN TENDON (2R01AR036110-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157477. Licensed CC0.

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