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Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells
Published on: September 28, 2020
960
A fractal nature for polymerized laminin
Camila Hochman-Mendez1, Marco Cantini2, David Moratal3
1Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Plos One
|October 9, 2014
Summary
Polylaminin (polyLM), a structured polymer of laminin, exhibits a fractal nature. This unique structure may explain the organization of basement membranes in the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Polylaminin (polyLM) is a polymer of laminin with unique biological properties.
- It promotes neuritogenesis and axonal regeneration, particularly in spinal cord injury models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the three-dimensional structure of polylaminin.
- To compare the structure of polyLM with ordinary laminin (LM) matrices.
- To investigate the fractal properties of polyLM.
Main Methods:
- Confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) for structural visualization.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for detailed structural analysis.
- Hausdorff dimension analysis to quantify fractal properties.
Main Results:
- PolyLM forms a homogeneous, loose, flocculated meshwork.
- Ordinary laminin (LM) forms bulky aggregates inaccessible to antibodies.
- PolyLM exhibits fractal dimensions (1.55-1.70) over time, unlike LM.
- PolyLM's morphology remains consistent across magnifications.
Conclusions:
- Polylaminin possesses an intrinsic fractal nature.
- This fractal structure is a potential basis for basement membrane organization in neurogenic niches.
- PolyLM's unique structure underlies its enhanced biological activity.
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