Human Skin Collagen from Different Age Groups before and after Collagenase Digestion: An Electron Microscopic Study

Abstract

The 30 excellent photomicrographs should be examined in the original article if possible. Three types of breakdown structure were found, the end product in each being a finely beaded material believed to be the smallest collagen component yet found. No correlation with disease or treatments was found, but there was a difference noted between age groups in regard to macroscopic and microscopic response to enzyme. Older patients had more resistant collagen as judged by length of incubation with enzyme needed to give a particular degree of digestion. Observations on the structure of the fibrils are reported.. Attention is called to altered appearance of collagen in pathological tissues.