As we zoom into a Dupuytren’s cord, we see that each collagen fiber is made up of multiple collagen fibrils,8 and microfibrils, and each microfibril is made of several triple-helix collagen monomers.8,9
The native triple-helical conformation and increased covalent cross-linking contribute to the considerable tensile strength of a Dupuytren’s cord.2,10,11
Increased synthesis of types I and III collagen and/or inhibition of endogenous human collagenase activity results in increased collagen deposits and thickening of the Dupuytren’s cord, which can progress to contracture.2,12,13
