4% dry weight; provides elasticity to skin (able to return to normal shape after deformation)
Continuous network spanning from lamina densa of DEJ throughout dermis
Oxytalan fibers: thin fibers running perpendicular to skin surface in papillary dermis
Eulanin fibers: thicker fibers parallel to skin surface in reticular dermis
• Elastic tissue is an aggregate of two components: core of elastin (amorphous protein) surrounded by protein filaments (fibrillin)
Desmosine and isodesmosine unique to elastic fibers; lysyl oxidase (copper-dependent enzyme) necessary for formation of elastic-specific amino acids and cross-linking
Elastic fibers damaged by UV radiation; dermal elastosis hallmark of photodamage
