Mechanics of isolated individual collagen fibrils

Collagen fibrils are the fundamental structural elements in vertebrate animals and compose a structural framework that provides mechanical support to load-bearing tissues. Understanding how these fibrils initially form and mechanically function has been the focus of a myriad of detailed investigations over the last few decades. From these studies a great amount of knowledge has been acquired as well as a number of new questions to consider. In this review, we examine the current state of our knowledge of the mechanical properties of extant fibrils. We emphasize on the mechanical response and related deformation of collagen fibrils upon tension, which is the predominant load imposed in most collagen-rich tissues. We also illuminate the gaps in knowledge originating from the intriguing results that the field is still trying to interpret.

Automated summary

Collagen fibrils are the fundamental structural elements in vertebrate animals, providing mechanical support to load-bearing tissues. Extensive research has been conducted to understand the formation and mechanical function of these fibrils, resulting in a wealth of knowledge and new questions. This review examines the current understanding of the mechanical properties of existing fibrils, specifically focusing on their response to tension and the gaps in knowledge that remain to be explored.