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15.1 Introduction
15.1.1 Collagenous Fibrosis: Biomedical Issues
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM), and plays a central role in the
formation of brillar and microbrillar networks, basement membranes, as well as other structures of
the connective tissue (Hulmes 2002). Many genetically distinct collagen types have been described so
far, and show dierent structures, functions, and distribution in tissues (Ricard-Blum and Ruggiero
2005). e characteristic feature of a collagen molecule is its long triple helical structure. ree polypep-
tide chains, called α chains and characterized by a (Gly-X-Y)
repe ...