4. Hierarchical classification of the human scapholunate ligament
Once we quantified eight relevant ECM components in SLIL and control tissues, we classified the different samples based on their global profile for these ECM components using hierarchical clustering. As shown in Figure 7, our results showed two main groups of samples. In the first branch, we found five out of the six control tissues analyzed here (TF, CC, CL, FT, and RT), along with the SLIL zone D1, although the control tissues and D1 formed independent classification subbranches. In the second branch, however, we found five out of the six SLIL zones (D2, M1, M2, P1 and P2) clustering together with AC control tissues. Interestingly, AC clustered together with M1, with both types of tissues forming an independent classification subbranch.