Fibrillin Microfibrils are Stiff Reinforcing Fibres in Compliant Tissues
Abstract
Fibrillin-rich microfibrils have endowed tissues with elasticity throughout multicellular evolution. We have used molecular combing techniques to determine Young's modulus for individual microfibrils and X-ray diffraction of zonular filaments of the eye to establish the linearity of microfibril periodic extension. Microfibril periodicity is not altered at physiological zonular tissue extensions and Young's modulus is between 78 MPa and 96 MPa, which is two orders of magnitude stiffer than elastin. We conclude that elasticity in microfibril-containing tissues arises primarily from reversible alterations in supra-microfibrillar arrangements rather than from intrinsic elastic properties of individual microfibrils which, instead, act as reinforcing fibres in fibrous composite tissues.
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Fibrillin microfibrils can extend but are not intrinsically elastic, and their Young's modulus is two orders of magnitude higher than that of elastin.
“However, although they can extend, they are not intrinsically elastic and their Young’s modulus is two orders of magnitude higher than that of elastin [38].”
From Structural control of corneal transparency, refractive power and dynamics (2025) · cites this paper as [38]
The connecting fibrillin microfibrils in the central cornea are less extensible.
“The connecting fibrillin microfibrils in the central cornea are less extensible”
From Structural control of corneal transparency, refractive power and dynamics (2025) · cites this paper as [38]
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- Authors
- Sherratt, M. J., Baldock, C., Louise Haston, J., Holmes, D. F., Jones, C. J. P., Adrian Shuttleworth, C., Wess, T. J., & Kielty, C. M.
- Affiliations
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research (GB)
- St Mary's Hospital (GB)
- University of Stirling (GB)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Molecular Biology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-09
- Volume
- 332
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 183-193
- ISSN
- 0022-2836 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2128199042
- Cited by
- 147
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 4.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Molecular Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Connective tissue disorders research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Keywords
- Young's modulus, tissue stiffness, zonule, molecular combing, elastin, reinforcing fibers
- MeSH terms
- Fibrillins, Aged, Animals, Cattle, Deer, Elasticity, Elastin, Eye Proteins, Humans, Microfilament Proteins, Models, Molecular, Stress, Mechanical, X-Ray Diffraction, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Microscopy, Atomic Force, Cryoelectron Microscopy
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