Basement membranes are among the most widespread, non-cellular functional materials in metazoan organisms. Despite this ubiquity, the links between their compositional and biophysical properties are often difficult to establish due to their thin and delicate nature. In this article, we examine these features on a molecular level by combining results from proteomics, elastic, and nanomechanical analyses across a selection of human basement membranes. Comparing results between these different membranes connects certain compositional attributes to distinct nanomechanical signatures and further demonstrates to what extent water defines these properties. In all, these data underline BMs as stiff yet highly elastic connective tissue layers and highlight how the interplay between composition, mechanics and hydration yields such exceptionally adaptable materials.

中文翻译：

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人类基底膜的生物物理和成分特性

基底膜是后生动物中最广泛的非细胞功能材料之一。尽管普遍存在，但由于其薄而脆弱的性质，它们的成分和生物物理特性之间的联系通常很难确定。在本文中，我们通过结合对选定的人类基底膜的蛋白质组学、弹性和纳米力学分析的结果，在分子水平上检查这些特征。这些不同膜之间的比较结果将某些成分属性与不同的纳米力学特征联系起来，并进一步证明了水在多大程度上定义了这些特性。总而言之，这些数据强调了BM是坚硬而高弹性的结缔组织层，并强调了成分、力学和水合作用之间的相互作用如何产生这种适应性极强的材料。