Collagen fibrils stabilization

Tendons and ligaments are made up of units termed fascicles that are bound into functional units by a sheath termed epitendineum (Figure 3.22). Individual fascicles are composed of rows of fibroblasts that alternate with bundles of collagen fibrils parallel to the tendon axis. These structures are normally loaded in tension to maintain joint stability. 

Proteo-glycosaminoglycans determine the structure of cartilage, the permeability of basement membranes to small molecules, the stability of collagen fibrils, and the response of tendons, cartilage and periodontal ligaments to injury. 

Cellulase has been stabilized to an unusual extent by reaction with collagen fibrils. No leakage of cellulase from the matrix was observed. 

A basic building block of the bone is the mineralized collagen fibril. With various percentages of mineralization, different types of bones have specialized properties for their own purposes. As with other biomaterials, the atomistic mechanical properties of its basic constitutive units are strongly correlated with their chemical bond network induced by their structural stability, and their reactivity during deformation and fracture. 

---