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     Extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, particularly damage to structural collagen, is a hallmark of numerous pathologies, including Intervertebral Disc (IVD) degeneration. Assessing the structural integrity of collagen in situ is critical for understanding disease mechanisms and evaluating the efficacy of potential interventions. Collagen Hybridizing Peptides (3Helix, Inc.) offer a unique tool for this...

Collagen is skin's foundation, but how it's truly built has been hidden – until now. Discover how see-through axolotls are providing an unprecedented window into this process, revealing secrets that could reshape skin science.

  Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a cluster of connective tissue disorders with a range of manifestations across organ systems. Periodontal EDS (pEDS) is a form of EDS characterized by weakening tissue around the teeth, leading to fragile gums, gingival recession, and tooth loss. pEDS has been linked to heterozygous missense mutations in the genes...

  Bone is a remarkable material, strong enough to withstand impressive forces without fracturing. Despite decades of research, however, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying bone’s fracture resistance has remained incomplete. It has long been hypothesized that collagen degradation occurs following bone fracture. Until recently, this hypothesis lacked empirical evidence due to a...

  Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progressively impairs kidney function, affecting millions. Beyond kidney-related complications, patients often experience muscle weakness and reduced mobility, begging the question: does muscle fibrosis contribute to those limitations? Figure 1 demonstrates a significant increase in collagen deposition within the vastus lateralis muscle of CKD patients. Histochemical analysis using picro-sirius red...

Collagen Hybridizing Peptides (CHPs) are revolutionizing the study of scleral inflammation.  See how CHPs are used to visualize collagen degradation and uncover new insights into diseases like scleritis.

(b) Confocal micrographs of heart tissue sections from Ccr2-RFP × Cx3cr1-GFP mice 10 days post-ischemia-reperfusion (I–R) injury show the infarct border zone versus remote myocardium. A biotin-conjugated CHP, detected with a streptavidin-conjugated Alexa 647 secondary antibody (purple), visualized immature or denatured collagen, pinpointing areas of active ECM remodeling. Stem cell therapy has long been...

Antioxidant-loaded small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) enhance muscle regeneration and accelerate collagen turnover, offering a promising cell-free therapy for skeletal muscle atrophy. Using Collagen Hybridizing Peptides (CHPs), researchers quantified collagen remodeling and showed how sEVs stimulate recovery in atrophic muscles. Learn how this innovative approach combines antioxidant-loaded sEVs and CHPs to drive tissue repair and...