Alterations in Collagen in the Arteries of Thromboangiitic Patients

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Abstract
Electron micrscopic studies of connective tissue at the sub-intlmal level of the arteries of thromboantlitlc patients show characteristic modifications in the ultrastructure of collagen. The collagen fibrils which are fragmented and swollen due to a dissociation of the longitudinal filaments seem to dissolve into an amorphous substance. In a detailed observation, double contrasting bands can be clearly seen. These could be the residue of the degenerated collagen fibrils. The resemblance of these modifications, previously observed in the ultra-structure of the collagen of the lumbar sympathetic ganglia in thrombo-anglltic patients, confirms the hypothesis that the disease has a systemic development based on a particular lesion of the collagen.