ABSTRACT
Elastin is an insoluble, elastomeric, extracellular matrix protein that provides resilience and deformability to tissues. The elasticity is critical for the functioning of several tissues, such as arterial vessels, lungs, skin, esophagus, and stomach [1,2]. Tropoelastin (TE) is the soluble precursor of elastin and a vital building block in elastic fiber formation [3]. It has been shown that tropoelastin is formed intracellularly and then cross-linked extracellularly giving rise
CONTENTS
10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 249 10.1.1 Elastin and Elastic Fibers ..............................................................250
