Zoo302

Histology

Lecture VI

Cartilage

Modified by: Marilyn G. Rimando

Bismark Oliver C. Lemana, M.Sc.

Biological Sciences Department, College of Science
University of Santo Tomas, Manila
 Ground Substance

Highly water-based
Complex of:
Anionic macromolecules (glycosaminoglycans and
proteoglycans
Multiadhesive glycoproteins (laminin, fibronectin,
etc)
Function:
Strength and rigidity of the matrix
Acts as lubricant and barrier to foreign bodies
 Glycosaminoglycans

- are linear polysaccharides formed by repeating

disaccharide units usually composed of a uronic acid
and a hexosamine

can be glucosamine or can be glucuronic or iduronic acid

galactosamine

The largest, most unique, and most ubiquitous GAG is hyaluronic

acid (or hyaluronan ).
 Glycosaminoglycans

GAGs are intensely hydrophilic, are highly

viscous, and are polyanions, binding a
great number of cations (usually sodium)
by electrostatic (ionic) bonds.
Glycosaminoglycans
 Glycosaminoglycans
linear polysaccharides formed by repeating disaccharide
units usually composed of a uronic acid and a hexosamine
 Proteoglycans
- composed of a core
protein to which are
covalently attached
various numbers and
combinations of the
sulfated GAGs

- as well as branched
oligosaccharides, generally
having more carbohydrate
than do glycoproteins
 Proteoglycans

The four main

GAGs found in
proteoglycans are
dermatan sulfate,
chondroitin
sulfates, keratan
sulfate, and
heparan sulfate
 Proteoglycans

Synthesized in RER, mature in Golgi,

secreted via exocytosis
Functions:
Structural and anchoring proteins
Bind and sequester signalling proteins
 Glycoproteins

Glycoproteins are usually

globular proteins with
branched oligosaccharide
side-chains. Their
polypeptide content is
generally greater than
their polysaccharide
content.
 Cartilage
a specialized form of connective tissue

- firm consistency of the ECM (Glycosaminoglycans

and proteoglycans)

- allows the tissue to bear

mechanical stresses
without permanent
distortion
Cartilage distribution
forms a framework supporting
soft tissues

provides a shock-absorbing and

sliding area for joints

facilitates bone movements

also essential for the

development and growth of
long bones
 Cartilage

Chondrocytes
ECM
Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans
General Functions:
Support (consistency of ECM)
Framework (respiratory system)
Stability, movement, shock-absorber(in bones)
Growth and development (bones)
Chondrocytes synthesize and secrete the ECM and the
cells themselves are located in matrix cavities called
lacunae
Collagen, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, and small amounts of
several glycoproteins are the principal macromolecules present
in all types of cartilage matrix.
 Cartilage

Avascular
Diffusion-dependent nutrition
Perichondrium or synovial fluids in joint
cavities
Low metabolic activity
Lacks lymphatic vessels and nerves
 Perichondrium

a sheath of dense
connective tissue
Surrounds cartilage
harbors the vascular
supply for the avascular
cartilage and also
contains nerves and
lymphatic vessels
 Cellular and extracellular components
of connective tissue

Figure 5-2 Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies

 three forms of cartilage
hyaline cartilage- the most common form
type II collagen is the principal collagen

elastic cartilage - collagen type II + elastic fibers

Fibrocartilage - containing a dense network of coarse

type I collagen fibers
 Hyaline Cartilage
Most common
Bluish-white on fresh specimens
Temporary skeleton in the embryo
Fontanels
Location:
Articular surface of movable joints
Walls of respiratory passage
Ventral ends of the ribs
Epiphyseal plate (to be discussed in Bone)
Hyaline Cartilage
located in the articular surfaces of the
movable joints, in the walls of larger
respiratory passages (nose, larynx,
trachea, bronchi), in the ventral ends of
ribs, where they articulate with the
sternum, and in the epiphyseal plate,
where it is responsible for the
longitudinal growth of bone
 Hyaline cartilage

consisting largely of type I collagen

Figure 7-3 Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies

 HC: Matrix
Base is type II
collagen
Smooth and fine.. Fibers not visible
High water
content
Increases shock
absorption
properties
Basophilic
High
concentration of
GAGs
 Matrix Organization
Schematic representation of the most abundant molecules
in cartilage matrix

Physical properties of these matrix components

produce a highly hydrated, pliable material with great strength
Approximately 75% of the wet weight of hyaline cartilage
is water.
The high content of solvation water bound to the negative
charges of the GAGs acts as a shock absorber or
biomechanical spring
HC: Chondrocytes and
Perichondrium
 HC: Chondrocytes and
Perichondrium
Chondrocytes
Synthesis of collagen and matrix
Metabolize glucose by anaerobic
Chondrocyte
glycolysis precursors
Lactic acid production

Chondrocyte function is hormone

dependent:
GAGs is accelerated by growth
hormone, thyroxin, and testosterone
cartilage growth- Somatotropin

insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1 Embryonic bone

 Elastic Cartilage

Abundant elastic fiber composition

Yellowish (fresh specimen)
Composition:
Matrix
Chondrocytes
Perichondrium
Linked or continuous with hyaline
cartilage
 Elastic Cartilage

Elastic fibers provide greater flexibility to this

form of cartilage
Section of the epiglottis. (P) perichondrium; (arrows) elastic fibers
Elastic Cartilage
Elastic cartilage is found in the auricle of
the ear, the walls of the external auditory
canals, the auditory (eustachian) tubes,
the epiglottis, and the cuneiform
cartilage in the larynx.
 Fibrocartilage
Intermediate between dense connective and hyaline cartilage
Base is type I collagen
Less proteoglycans
Acidophilic
Perochondrium is less distinct

Intervertebral disk
Annulus fibrosus
Nucleus pulposus
Acts as shock absorber
Orientation parallel to the stress
Slipped disk
 Fibrocartilage

pubic symphysis
intervertebral disc
Arrangement of chondrocytes either singly (a) or in isogenous aggregates forming long
rows (b)
No distinct perichondrium is present on fibrocartilage
more concentrated acidophilic type I collagen
Figure 7-5 Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies
Fibrocartilage
 Intervertebral Disk

annulus fibrosus rich in bundles of type I collagen

central nucleus pulposus with a gel-like matrix rich in hyaluronic acid
 Chondrogenesis

The first indication of

cell differentiation is the
rounding up of the
mesenchymal cells,
which retract their
extensions, multiply
rapidly, and form
cellular condensations.
 Chondrogenesis

mesenchymal cells chondroblasts isogenous cell

aggregates

Embryonic Proliferation Matrix Multiplication

mesenchyme and synthesis of cartilage
differentiation cells
 Chondrogenesis
fibrocartilage from a young animal
shows three chondrocytes in their lacunae
 Cartilage Growth and
Repair
Interstitial growth
Mitotic division from pre-existing chondrocytes
occurs during the early phases of cartilage formation

Appositional growth
Differentiation of perichondrial cells
occurs in the epiphyseal plates of long bones
- and within articular cartilage

Regeneration
Scarring of dense connective tissue (perichondrium)
Very slow process
The poor regenerative capacity of cartilage is due in part to the
avascularity of this tissue.
Cartilage then increases in girth
only by appositional growth