fibrilláris

Fibrilláris is a term used in biology and medicine to describe structures that are composed of or resemble fibrils, the slender threadlike components found in cells and tissues. The word derives from Latin fibrilla, a diminutive of fibra, and is used as both an adjective and a noun in several languages to denote fibrillar organization.

In cellular biology, fibrilláris structures include cytoskeletal elements such as actin microfilaments and intermediate filaments, as well as extracellular matrix components organized into collagen fibrils. These subunits are nanometer to submicrometer in scale and aggregate to form fibers that determine tissue mechanics, enable intracellular transport, and support signaling.

In pathology, fibrillar aggregates can accumulate abnormally. Amyloid fibrils, formed by misfolded proteins, are a hallmark of amyloidosis and several neurodegenerative diseases. Fibrillar aggregates can also arise in prion diseases or during chronic inflammation, and their presence can influence tissue function and immune responses.

In materials science and tissue engineering, fibrillar architectures are engineered as nanofibers and scaffolds. Techniques such as electrospinning or peptide self-assembly produce fibrillar materials used to guide cell growth, provide mechanical strength, or mimic natural extracellular matrices.

Overall, fibrilláris designates a structural theme across biology and materials science, highlighting the relevance of slender, threadlike units in form, function, and disease.