A unique antigenic determinant on collagen II closely associated with age related abnormal modification.

During aging, a variety of proteins undergo a non-enzymatic modification, such as oxidation, attachment of lipid peroxide, and glycation. In particular, the long-lived extracellular matrix proteins in connective tissue may be common targets for this kind of modification which, in turn, is involved in the pathogenesis of age related diseases. In the present study, we demonstrate that the age related modification on collagen II generates (a) new epitope(s). Furthermore, we established an immunochemical assay which is specifically suited to monitor the extent of abnormal modification of collagen II.