elastin
Quick Summary
Elastin is a protein that is the main component of elastic fibers. These fibers are yellowish and branch out, often forming plates or membranes, particularly in the walls of large arteries. Unlike collagen, elastin fibers do not show orderly subunits under a microscope but may appear to have minute fibrils surrounding a solid core.12
Elastin is crucial for the elasticity of structures like skin, lungs, and major blood vessels such as the aorta. It is similar to collagen but provides elasticity to tissues. In aging, the fragmentation of elastin molecules is thought to contribute to the progressive loss of elasticity in blood vessels. Hereditary connective tissue disorders can also involve abnormalities in elastin.2134
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- cutis laxa
…or structure of the protein elastin, the principal component of the elastic connective tissues of the skin; as a result, degenerative changes occur in the elastic fibres. There are several forms of the disorder, which are separable into inherited and acquired varieties. In the inherited variety, manifestations may include a…
Read More…or structure of the protein elastin, the principal component of the elastic connective tissues of the skin; as a result, degenerative changes occur in the elastic fibres. There are several forms of the disorder, which are separable into inherited and acquired varieties. In the inherited variety, manifestations may include a…
Read More - connective tissue diseaseHereditary disorders of connective tissue
…also detected an excess of elastin fibres in the connective tissue of persons with the disease. (Collagen and elastin are two of the fibrous proteins in connective tissue.) It is now clear that there are at least 10 distinct varieties of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The disease is most commonly inherited as…
Read More…also detected an excess of elastin fibres in the connective tissue of persons with the disease. (Collagen and elastin are two of the fibrous proteins in connective tissue.) It is now clear that there are at least 10 distinct varieties of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The disease is most commonly inherited as…
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agingChanges in structural tissuesElastin is the molecule responsible for the elasticity of blood vessel walls. With age, progressive loss of elasticity of vessels occurs, presumably because of fragmentation of the elastin molecule.
Read MoreElastin is the molecule responsible for the elasticity of blood vessel walls. With age, progressive loss of elasticity of vessels occurs, presumably because of fragmentation of the elastin molecule.
Read More- human agingRespiratory system
The lung also contains elastin and collagen to give it elastic properties. As indicated previously, the formation of cross-links in elastin and collagen that takes place with aging reduces the elastic properties of the lung.
Read MoreThe lung also contains elastin and collagen to give it elastic properties. As indicated previously, the formation of cross-links in elastin and collagen that takes place with aging reduces the elastic properties of the lung.
Read More - human agingSkin
…of fibres of the proteins elastin and collagen. Studies of the minute structures of the skin show a gradual reduction in elastin. In addition, the collagen fibres show an increase in cross-links, which greatly restricts the elastic properties of the collagen network.
Read More…of fibres of the proteins elastin and collagen. Studies of the minute structures of the skin show a gradual reduction in elastin. In addition, the collagen fibres show an increase in cross-links, which greatly restricts the elastic properties of the collagen network.
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