The effect of different collagens and of proteoglycan on the retraction of collagen lattice.

ABSTRACT

The effect of various collagens and proteoglycan on the formation and retraction of collagen lattices was tested. The most rapid aggregation of collagen molecules was observed by the use of the least cross-linked collagen fractions (ie pepsin-digested calf skin collagen type I). Lattices formed with more cross-linked collagens (acid soluble collagen-ASC, type III) contracted slowly and less intensively. Unpurified pepsinized cartilage extract containing collagen types II, IX and XI, some glycoproteins and proteoglycans formed lattices rather well. On the contrary, purified collagen type II as well as polymeric collagen (solubilized by denaturing conditions) did not form lattices at all. The lattice formation and retraction was intensified by addition of proteoglycan into the culture medium. The authors suggest that the kinetics of the lattice formation and retraction depends on the amount of collagen cross-links and the concentration of proteoglycan in the culture medium.