Mechanical assessment of elastin integrity in fibrillin-1-deficient carotid arteries: implications for Marfan syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Elastin is the primary component of elastic fibres in arteries, which contribute significantly to the structural integrity of the wall. Fibrillin-1 is a microfibrillar glycoprotein that appears to stabilize elastic fibres mechanically and thereby to delay a fatigue-induced loss of function due to long-term repetitive loading. Whereas prior studies have addressed some aspects of ageing-related changes in the overall mechanical properties of arteries in mouse models of Marfan syndrome, we sought to assess for the first time the load-carrying capability of the elastic fibres early in maturity, prior to the development of ageing-related effects, dilatation, or dissection.

Methods and results

We used elastase to degrade elastin in common carotid arteries excised, at 7-9 week

SUBMITTER: Ferruzzi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3193833 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature