The complex network structure of elastin and collagen extracellular matrix (ECM) forms the primary load-bearing component in the arterial wall. Pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases has been associated with loss of organization and function of the ECM. However the interactions of collagen and elastin and the effect of ECM structural changes on vascular function are not well understood. This talk will focus on our recent study on the interactions among ECM constituents and how they contribute to the mechanical function of the arterial wall. Study of structural changes during mechanical loading as well as elastin degradation was performed with multi-photon microscopy. Elastin is remarkably long lived, and it can suffer from cumulative effects of exposure to biochemical damages. Our recent work on the biochemical-mechanical response of elastin will also be presented. Together these results provide a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanobiology of arteries with the goal of incorporating such information in understanding disease progressions and structurally based constitutive models.

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