[Tubular structural pattern of filaments of elastic fibers]

Substructural organization and morphogenesis of elastic fiber filaments (EFF) from different organs (blood vessels, auricular cartilage, skin) are described. EFF reveal a tubular pattern of organization. In cross section, the filament's "wall" is build up of 4 dense particles (subunits), which surround an electron-lucent interior; in longitudinal section, subunits seems to be arranged in a chain-like manner. The EFF's tubular organization is somehow similar to that of intermediate filaments and cytoplasmic microtubules. An universal structural pattern for both, intra- and extracellular filamentous structures, with skeletal function is suggested.