[Mechanisms and role of collagen biodegradation in pathology].

Three stages in collagen biodegradation are considered: intracellular post-translational degradation of normal procollagen prior to its extracellular secretion; specific enzymatic cleavage of collagen fibrils in the extracellular space; and unspecific proteolysis of the cleaved despiralized molecular fragments. Enzymes involved in collagen breakdown are described. The importance of collagen biodegradation to morphogenesis and morphostasis is discussed, as are its disturbances in a number of pathological conditions.