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Correlative Multimodal Framework Reveals Supramolecular Chirality Loss Preceding Fibrillar Rarefaction in Dermal
Ali Haider1,2,3, Yusuke Kochi1,2,3, Andrew K Schulz4
1International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima739-8531, Japan.
ACS Nano
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Early collagen remodeling begins with a loss of molecular chirality coherence, not changes in density. This discovery reveals a new precursor to tissue changes before visible degradation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Collagen remodeling in tissues is typically identified by fibrillar thinning and reduced connectivity.
- The initial structural trigger for this remodeling process has remained poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the earliest structural changes in collagen-rich tissues during remodeling.
- To determine if supramolecular chirality coherence precedes other indicators of collagen degradation.
Main Methods:
- Correlated molecular-scale chiral order with mesoscale fibrillar organization in adult human skin samples.
- Analyzed collagen mass, coverage, and nonlinear optical response.
Main Results:
- Early collagen remodeling was characterized by a loss of supramolecular chirality coherence.
- This loss occurred independently of collagen density or network integrity.
- Fibrillar fragmentation and altered organization, along with reduced nonlinear optical response, were observed at later stages.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular chirality coherence is an early indicator of failure in collagen assemblies.
- Loss of chirality coherence is a previously unrecognized precursor to dermal remodeling.
- This framework can detect early degradation in hierarchical chiral biomaterials.
Keywords:
chiroptical imagingcollagen
mechanicscollagen dermiscollagen remodelingsupramolecular chiralityvibrational circular dichroism (VCD)More Related Videos
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