PhD Scientific Days 2024
Budapest, 9-10 July 2024
Poster Session E - Molecular Medicine 2.
Atomic force microscopy investigation of human fibrillin microfibril morphology and mechanics in Marfan syndrome
Előadó neve
Dr. Sulea, Cristina M.
Neptun code
KJMBP4
Előadó munkahelye
Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University
Előadó telefonszáma
06206663356
Előadó e-mail címe
cristinasulea@gmail.com
Az előadás címe
Atomic force microscopy investigation of human fibrillin microfibril morphology and mechanics in Marfan syndrome
Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye
Cristina M. Sulea1,2,3, Dominik Sziklai1, Miklós Pólos2,3, Kálmán Benke2,3, Zoltán Szabolcs2,3, Miklós S.Z. Kellermayer1
1: Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University
2: Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center
3: Hungarian Marfan Foundation
Bemutatás módja
Poszter
Szekció
Poster Session E - Molecular Medicine 2.
Language of the presentation
English
Preferred session
Molecular Medicine
Összefoglaló szövege
Introduction: Fibrillin microfibrils are architectural extracellular matrix components that maintain structural integrity and regulate signaling events in the connective tissue. Mutations in the gene for fibrillin-1 result in Marfan syndrome (MFS), an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder leading to cardiovascular, ocular, and skeletal abnormalities. Life expectancy is affected in this population due to aortic involvement, which results from a disrupted vascular extracellular matrix.
Aims: To perform a nanoscale morphological and mechanical characterization of fibrillin microfibrils harboring mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene compared to unaffected homologous microfibrillar assemblies.
Methods: Human aortic wall samples were obtained from patients undergoing specific cardiovascular surgical interventions. Fibrillin microfibrils were extracted by bacterial collagenase digestion and purified by size-exclusion chromatography before being visualized and investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Non-contact mode-derived height data was used for the detailed three-dimensional study of microfibrillar morphology, including bead height, length, width, and interbead region height. Microfibrillar stiffness was assessed using force curves recorded in fast force mapping mode.
Result: The obtained fibrillin microfibrils displayed the characteristic “beads-on-a-string” appearance, with a consistent mean periodicity of 50-60 nm. MFS fibrillin-1 microfibrils displayed an altered bead morphology with significantly thinner (19.05 vs. 22.44 nm, p<0.0001) and shorter (17.69 vs. 20.55 nm, p<0.0001) beads. AFM-based indentation revealed a core and a cortex region for the beads, which displayed different elastic properties. Young’s moduli in the core region were significantly larger in the MFS group (11.56 vs. 9.32 MPa, p<0.0001).
Conclusion: MFS fibrillin-1 microfibrils exhibited an altered structure which was reflected in bead morphology (mainly length and width). MFS beads were stiffer. The data provide insight into the morphological and elastic properties of fibrillin microfibrils, revealing differences that may be indicative of the structural role of microfibrillar assemblies in the development of Marfan syndrome-specific aortic symptomatology.
Funding: ÚNKP-23-3-II-SE-22; SE 250+ Excellence PhD Scholarship; TKP2021-EGA-23; RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00003.
University
Semmelweis University
Supervisor
Miklós S.Z. Kellermayer, M.D., Ph.D. and Zoltán Szabolcs M.D., Ph.D.
Publication of my abstract
I give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.
Kind
Szabad
Status
elfogadva
Accepted presentation method
poszter
Előadás fájl jóváhagyás
nem rendelkezett róla
Előadó
6939
Start
15:35
End
15:38