Mechanical and structural contributions of elastin and collagen fibers to interlamellar bonding in the arterial wall.

ABSTRACT: The artery relies on interlamellar structural components, mainly elastin and collagen fibers, for maintaining its integrity and resisting dissection propagation. In this study, the contribution of arterial elastin and collagen fibers to interlamellar bonding was studied through mechanical testing, multiphoton imaging and finite element modeling. Steady-state peeling experiments were performed on porcine aortic media and the purified elastin network in the circumferential (Circ) and longitudinal (Long) directions. The peeling force and energy release rate associated with mode-I failure are much higher for aortic media than for the elastin network. Also, longitudinal peeling exhibits a higher energy release rate and strength than circumferential peeling for both the aortic media and elastin.

SUBMITTER: Wang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7855057 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature