Fibrillin is the major component of extracellular microfibrils. Mutations in the fibrillin gene on chromosome 15 (FBN1) were described at first in the heritable connective tissue disorder, Marfan syndrome (MFS). More recently, FBN1 has also been shown to harbor mutations related to a spectrum of conditions phenotypically related to MFS. These mutations are private, essentially missense, general...

Marfan’s syndrome (MFS) is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder and has been linked to the fibrillin-1 gene on chromosome 15q(21.1) – FBN1. 15% of cases are due to sporadic mutations and therefore there will be no accompanying family history in these individuals which may delay the diagnosis. Fibrillin-1 (a glycoprotein) is a major component of microfibrils found in many connective tissu...

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PURPOSE To examine ultrastructurally the composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) materials, the distribution of myocilin, and the colocalization of myocilin with ECM components in the juxtacanalicular tissue (JCT) of normal human eyes. METHODS Postembedding immunoelectron microscopic studies were performed with antibodies specific for major ECM components, including fibronectin, laminin, vi...

BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome (MS) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the fibrillin gene FBN1. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a congenital heart malformation of unknown cause. Both conditions are associated with ascending aortic aneurysm and premature death. This study examined the relationship among the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins fibrillin, fibronectin, tenascin, and va...

BACKGROUND It has been shown that losartan reduces aortic dilatation in patients with Marfan syndrome. However, treatment response is highly variable. This study investigates losartan effectiveness in genetically classified subgroups. METHODS AND RESULTS In this predefined substudy of COMPARE, Marfan patients were randomized to daily receive losartan 100 mg or no losartan. Aortic root dimensi...

BACKGROUND The cardiovascular complications of Marfan syndrome arise due to alterations in the structural and functional properties of fibrillin, a constituent of vascular connective tissues. Fibrillin-containing microfibrils are closely associated with arterial endothelial cells, indicating a possible functional role for fibrillin in the endothelium. Plasma concentrations of endothelial cell p...

BACKGROUND Elevated pulse pressure is associated strongly with adverse cardiovascular outcome; however, the genetic basis of this condition is unknown. This study examined whether genotypic variation in the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1, the Marfan gene, was associated with aortic stiffening and therefore could contribute to cardiovascular risk associated with pulse pressure elevatio...

BACKGROUND Very few over-the-counter cosmetic 'anti-ageing' products have been subjected to a rigorous double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial of efficacy. Previously we have shown that application of a cosmetic 'anti-ageing' product to photoaged skin under occlusion for 12 days can stimulate the deposition of fibrillin-1. This observation infers potential to repair and perhaps clinically improv...