Irradiation-Induced Crosslinking of Collagen

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Abstract
3Collagen fibers of rat-tail tendon have been exposed, under various conditions, to doses of ionizing radiation up to 20 Mrads. A considerable decrease in solubility and an increase in tensile strength of the thermally contracted fibers occurred when the fibers were irradiated in the presence of water, whereas when they were irradiated dry the solubility increased and the tensile strength decreased. These results are explained by the formation of intermolecular crosslinks between molecules of the orientated protein chains in addition to protein chain scission, the former process predominating in the presence of water, which either provided radicals for initiation of crosslinking by an indirect action, or maintained the mobility of the protein chains in the hydrated structure. The extent of the cross-linking was determined by stress-strain analysis. The possible nature of these bonds is discussed.