title: Three-dimensional architecture of altered dermal elastic fibers in pseudoxanthoma elasticum: scanning electron microscopic studies.
abstract: The three-dimensional architecture of the altered dermal elastic fibers of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum has been demonstrated using a scanning electron microscope. Each of the altered elastic fibers could be divided into three parts: (i) a normal-looking, slender part which is composed of thinner fibrils, (ii) a thickened, tortuous part covered with an amorphous substance, and (iii) a markedly damaged part where calcium is exposed to the surface of the fibers. The presence of calcium and phosphorus in the altered elastic fibers has been proved by an electron x-ray microanalysis.
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011561:Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium