Elastin governs the mechanical response of medial collateral ligament under shear and transverse tensile loading.

摘要: Elastin is a highly extensible structural protein network that provides near-elastic resistance to deformation in biological tissues. In ligament, elastin localized between and along the collagen fibers fascicles. When ligament stretched primary axis, supports relatively high percentage of load. We hypothesized may also provide significant load support under elongation transverse axis shear axis. Quasi-static tensile material tests were performed quantify mechanical contributions during porcine medial collateral ligament. Dose response studies conducted determine level elastase enzymatic degradation required produce maximal change response. Maximal changes peak stress occurred after 3h treatment with 2U/ml pancreatic elastase. resulted 60-70% reduction 2-3× modulus for both test protocols. These results demonstrate while only constituting 4% tissue dry weight. The magnitudes contribution approximately 0.03 MPa, as compared 2 MPa axial tests, suggesting anisotropic dominant resisting tissue.