The Collagens

Quam magnijicata sunt opera tua, Domine! Omnia in sapientia feciti, plena est terra creaturis tuis. Psalm us CIV:XXIV. The days when the answer to the questions "What is collagen and what is it for?" was simple and short are gone. Nowadays, collagen cannot be considered as a single and metabolic inert fibrous protein responsible only for some mechanical proper­ ties of tissues. The family of collagen proteins increases rapidly, and new collagens are still being discovered. They differ each from the other, and only the basic amino acid sequence con­ taining proline and hydroxyproline is the one constant and unique feature of proteins which are very different in all other aspects. This heterogeneity is related to the variety of their bio­ logical functions. The list of physiological aspects involving collagens as well as the number of disorders associated with collagen abnormalities are expanding rapidly. The structure and function of almost every organ are in some way related to connective tissue and to collagens in particular. Our knowledge in this field is significantly growing but is still far from com­ plete. The efforts to modify collagen gene expression, structure, and metabolism in order to manage some disorders are a new goal of pharmacology and are a natural sequel of the progress­ ing understanding of the pathophysiological role of collagens. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the patho­ physiological aspects of collagens with special emphasis on medical problems, i. e.