Microplaques

Microplaques are small, plaque-like deposits that form as discrete, localized features on surfaces or within tissues. The term is used across disciplines to describe aggregates smaller than macro-scale plaques, which may arise from protein misfolding, mineral precipitation, or surface deposition. In biomedical contexts, microplaques can refer to localized accumulations of biomolecules such as amyloid proteins, tau, or lipid-rich deposits observed in tissue sections. They can also occur in cardiovascular disease as tiny intimal plaques or in other organs where small accumulations are detected.

In materials science and environmental studies, microplaques describe small-scale deposits such as oxide layers, mineral scales, or polymer residues that form on metals, glass, membranes, or other substrates. Their formation often depends on local chemistry, flow, temperature, and surface properties, yielding diverse compositions and morphologies.

Detection and analysis of microplaques rely on microscopy and spectroscopy. Methods include optical and confocal microscopy, scanning or transmission electron microscopy, and surface imaging techniques such as atomic force microscopy. Chemical and elemental composition can be assessed with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy or Raman spectroscopy, while mineral phases may be identified by X-ray diffraction. In biomedical research, specific stains or antibodies may help differentiate proteinaceous plaques from other deposits.

Significance varies by context. Microplaques can indicate early or localized stages of disease processes, material degradation, or environmental exposure effects. However, the lack of standardized size thresholds and compositional definitions means the term is often used descriptively rather than as a precise category. See also plaque, amyloid, atherosclerosis, biomineralization, and corrosion.