Disease relevance of Ligaments

• Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL) is a common form of human myelopathy caused by a compression of the spinal cord by ectopic ossification of spinal ligaments [1].
• Another rheumatic disease, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL), demonstrates ectopic ossification of the spinal ligaments very similar to that of AS [2].
• Inguinal hernia and abnormal pelvic ligaments in these individuals may partially determine testicular position but to our knowledge the role of androgen receptors, if any, in their development is unknown [3].
• Changes in extracellular matrix proteins in the cardinal ligaments of post-menopausal women with or without prolapse: a computerized immunohistomorphometric analysis [4].
• OBJECTIVE: To present the technique and results of videolaparoscopy and the CO2 laser as a treatment for deep, infiltrative endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum, uterosacral ligaments, pouch of Douglas and anterior wall of the rectosigmoid colon [5].

High impact information on Ligaments

• ECM from ligaments of fetal calves younger than the time when elastin production occurs spontaneously in situ (i.e., beginning the last developmental trimester at approximately 180 d of gestation) does not stimulate elastin production in undifferentiated cells [6].
• Eya1 expression is largely restricted to flexor tendons, while Eya2 is expressed in the extensor tendons and ligaments of the phalangeal elements of the limb [7].
• Our findings indicate that Msx2 plays a central role in preventing ligaments and tendons from mineralizing [8].
• Massive amyloid deposits were found in the synovium, capsule, ligaments, articular cartilage, and/or bone [9].
• Functional implications of the unusual spatial distribution of a minor alpha-tubulin isotype in Drosophila: a common thread among chordotonal ligaments, developing muscle, and testis cyst cells [10].

Chemical compound and disease context of Ligaments

• BACKGROUND: Trevira (polyethylene terephthalate) has been in clinical use for more than 20 years, serving as implant material with minimal foreign body reaction for the replacement of the cruciate ligaments of the knee [11].
• In contrast, distracted coronal sutures from rabbits with delayed-onset synostosis showed narrowed sutural ligaments, thickened and blunt osteogenic fronts, and increased collagen and bony matrix deposition compared with controls [12].
• METHODS: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 expression, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 expression and hydroxyproline content were measured in the uterosacral ligaments and vaginal tissue from 14 women with prolapse compared with 14 controls [13].
• Volar intercalated segment instability as a result of spontaneous rupture of the supporting ligaments of the wrist due to longterm systemic steroid medication [14].
• Effect of perioperative oral carprofen on postoperative pain in dogs undergoing surgery for stabilization of ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments [15].

Biological context of Ligaments

• It is clear that some cells from ligaments with OPLL had several phenotypes characteristic of osteoblasts, but cells from ligaments without ossification did not show any osteoblastic properties [16].
• CONCLUSIONS: The clearly discernible levels of expression of ERalpha, ERbeta, AR and PR in the prolapsed cardinal ligaments may suggest a relationship to the process of tissue stretch 'trauma', rather than an effect of the menopausal status, HRT use or cell proliferation [17].
• A model of the knee in the sagittal plane was developed to study the forces in the ligaments induced by isometric contractions of the extensor and flexor muscles [18].
• Relaxin (Rlx), a hormone involved in loosening collagen bundles in ligaments during parturition, has antifibrotic and vasodilator properties that may prevent pulmonary vascular remodeling [19].
• The fibers of the ulnar part of the radioulnar ligaments (ulnar attachment of the articular disc) revealed the most significant changes: their orientation was coronal in the neutral position and sagittal in positions of pronation and supination [20].

Anatomical context of Ligaments

• Our findings demonstrate that growth and maintenance of the skeleton requires coordinated and simultaneous MT1-MMP-dependent remodeling of all soft tissue attachments (ligaments, tendons, joint capsules) [21].
• CONCLUSION: Asymmetry of alar ligaments, CCJ and C1-C2 facet joints, and joint effusions are common in asymptomatic individuals [22].
• Fibroblasts of spinal ligaments pathologically differentiate into chondrocytes induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2: morphological examinations for ossification of spinal ligaments [23].
• The expression of thrombospondin 2 was confined principally to organized connective tissue that included pericardium, pleura, perichondrium, periosteum, meninges, ligaments, and reticular dermis [24].
• Central defect repair is achieved by approximation of the cardinal ligaments and midline plication of the perivesical fascia over absorbable mesh [25].

Associations of Ligaments with chemical compounds

• Palmar, dorsal, and central segments of both ligaments were analyzed on transverse and coronal MR images and multiplanar multi-detector row CT reconstructions by two musculoskeletal radiologists working independently [26].
• In a corresponding fashion, when the collagenase levels of these ligaments were measured progesterone treatment was shown to inhibit collagenase activity markedly while estrogen was less effective [27].
• Removal and culture of post-partum ligaments, which undergo a 75% reduction in length and hydroxyproline content by the fifth post-partum day, allowed the demonstration of high collagenase levels released into the media [27].
• Sonographic findings following such therapy included asymmetry in breast size, skin deformity and thickening, nipple retraction and/or distortion, and thickening of the Cooper ligaments [28].
• Gadolinium enhancement improved the delineation of normal and abnormal ligaments on T1-weighted images in each case [29].

Gene context of Ligaments

• Despite the abnormalities in collagen fibrillogenesis, fragility of skin, and laxity of tendons and ligaments observed in the TSP2-null mouse, TSP2 does not appear to contribute directly to the structural integrity of connective tissue elements [30].
• Moreover, INSL4 mRNA was abundant in interbone ligaments [31].
• Conversely, the cruciate ligaments of the knee showed both an increase in LUM content and considerable structural abnormalities including the tendency towards rupture [32].
• Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed for collagen types I, III, and V; matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13); and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 for both injured and uninjured knee ligaments at 6 and 12 weeks after injury [33].
• To elucidate the process of ossification in spinal ligaments, an aqueous solution containing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 (40 micrograms/100 microL) was injected into murine ligamenta flava, and the ossification process was analyzed morphologically [23].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Ligaments

• Western blot study of ligament proteins extracted with sodium dodecyl sulfate demonstrated an increased amount of beta 1 subunit protein in both ligaments from knees that were stress deprived for 9 and 12 weeks, as compared with the control ligaments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)[34]
• The role of synovial fluid in providing nutrition to rabbit knee ligaments and menisci was evaluated by intraarticular injection of a labeled collagen precursor, tritiated proline [35].
• Unilateral denervation of the hind limb in a group of adult rats prelabeled with radioactive proline induced a significant turnover of collagen in tendons, ligaments, menisci, and bones [36].
• Autoradiography was performed on all ligaments and menisci, and demonstrated concentration of the isotope and its metabolite (tritiated proline and tritiated hydroxyproline, respectively) in and around fibroblasts [35].
• With the angle of the endoscope combined with an oblique entry, a bilateral bony and ligamentous decompression was achieved under the midline, thereby preserving the supraspinous-interspinous ligaments and contralateral musculature [37].

References