Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix : A Multiscale Quantitative Approach

__Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix: A Multiscale Quantitative Approach__ introduces biomechanics and biophysics with applications to understand the biological function of the extracellular matrix in health and disease. A general multiscale approach is followed by investigating behavior from the scale of single molecules, through fibrils and fibers, to tissues of various organ systems. Through mathematical models and structural information, quantitative description of the extracellular matrix function is derived with tissue specific details. The book introduces the properties and organization of extracellular matrix components and quantitative models of the matrix, and guides the reader through predicting functional properties. This book integrates evolutionary biology with multiscale structure to quantitatively understand the function of the extracellular matrix. This approach allows a fresh look into normal functioning as well as the pathological alterations of the extracellular matrix. Professor Suki’s book is written to be useful to undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers interested in the quantitative aspects of the extracellular matrix. Researchers working in mechanotransduction, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics, and multiscale biomechanics of tendon, cartilage, skin, and bone may also be interested in this book. Front Cover Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix: A Multiscale Quantitative Approach Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Definition of symbols Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 1: Introduction to structure-function relationships What is structure? What is function? What are structure-function relations? The multiscale nature of structure-function relations Evolutionary aspects Implications for science and medicine References Chapter 2: Extracellular matrix background material: Building blocks, general structure, mechanics, relation to cells, an ... The building blocks and the structure of proteins General properties and organization of the ECM Mechanical forces, stresses, and stiffness Relation of the ECM to cells ECM and evolution References Chapter 3: The collagen molecule Collagen classification A brief evolutionary history of the collagen family Structure of the collagen molecule Biosynthesis Collagen functions Collagen binding properties Collagen elasticity Polymer-based modeling: The mechanical properties of the molecule Structural models of the collagen molecule Effects of mutations on molecular structure and function References Chapter 4: Collagen supramolecular structures: Evolution, organization, and biogenesis Evolution of the fibril and the diversification of the collagen family Multiscale nature of fibril structure Network structure of type IV collagen Fibril formation Modeling fibril growth References Chapter 5: Collagen suprastructures: The data and the models Structure and function of type IV collagen networks Quantitative analysis of structure-function relations in the glomerular basement membrane of the kidney Structure-function of elastic networks from the point of view of percolation: Implications for tissue engineering Microscopic structure-function relations of the collagen fibril Multiscale mechanical properties of the collagen fibril: The data Modeling fibril function: From simple to complex Is fibril viscoelasticity a signature of hidden complexity? References Chapter 6: Selected examples of tissue-level collagen suprastructures: Tendon, bone, and skin Basic structure and function of the tendon Modeling the recruitment of wavy fibrils during tendon stretching Modeling tendon rupture A brief introduction to the evolutionarily shaped structure and function of the bone Examples of multiscale structure-function relation in bones The evolution and basic function of the skin Multiscale mechanics and tear resistance of the skin A note on the biological significance of recruitment References Chapter 7: Small leucine-rich proteoglycans: The tiny controllers of the extracellular matrix Basic structure and evolution of SLRPs Biological functions of SLRPs The PG interaction network Physiological functions of SLRPs Influence of GAGs on lung parenchymal mechanics Summary References Chapter 8: Hyaluronan and hyalectans: The good, the bad, and the ugly Evolutionary history The structure of the HA-hyalectan aggregate Binding and molecular to cellular functions Microscale physiological functions Structure and function of the endothelial glycocalyx Physiological functions The bad and the ugly Summary References Chapter 9: Elastic fibers: The near ideal linear springs of the extracellular matrix Evolution of elastin The tropoelastin gene structure Structure, disorder, and aggregation Mechanical properties of tropoelastin Microfibrils Elastogenesis: How to build a network of elastic fibers Elastic fibers: Are they ideal linear springs? A brief summary on organ-level function and its breakdown Final notes on the near ideal spring References Chapter 10: Modeling maintenance and repair: The matrix loaded Evolution of homeostasis and repair A continuum approach to ECM growth and remodeling Dynamics of homeostasis and structural remodeling Fluctuation-driven homeostasis A toy model of self-healing Agent-based modeling: The network paradigm The uninvited aging: Maintenance and repair slipping out of control What have we learned? References Chapter 11: Outlook Index Back Cover Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix: A Multiscale Quantitative Approach introduces biomechanics and biophysics with applications to understand the biological function of the extracellular matrix in health and disease. A general multiscale approach is followed by investigating behavior from the scale of single molecules, through fibrils and fibers, to tissues of various organ systems. Through mathematical models and structural information, quantitative description of the extracellular matrix function is derived with tissue specific details. The book introduces the properties and organization of extracellular matrix components and quantitative models of the matrix, and guides the reader through predicting functional properties. This book integrates evolutionary biology with multiscale structure to quantitatively understand the function of the extracellular matrix. This approach allows a fresh look into normal functioning as well as the pathological alterations of the extracellular matrix. Professor Suki's book is written to be useful to undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers interested in the quantitative aspects of the extracellular matrix. Researchers working in mechanotransduction, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics, and multiscale biomechanics of tendon, cartilage, skin, and bone may also be interested in this book. - Examines the evolutionary origins and consequences of the extracellular matrix- Delivers the first book to quantitatively treat the extracellular matrix as a multiscale system- Presents problems and a set of computational laboratory projects in various chapters to aid teaching and learning- Provides an introduction to the properties and organization of the extracellular matrix components