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Lecture IV

Connective Tissue

Bismark Oliver C. Lemana, M.Sc.

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

Connective Tissue
Originated from mesenchyme (mesoderm)
Surrounds and penetrates organs

General function:
Body form maintenance Provides matrix Body support

Components
Cell, fibers and ground substance Extracellular matrix

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Extracellular matrix
Function:
Structural Reservoir for growth and differentiation hormones Nutrient waste exchange

Cellular Components
Mesenchymal Origin
Retained in connective tissue proper
Fibroblasts

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Bone marrow derived Moves to different areas through blood
Mast cells, macrophages, plasma cells

Leukocytes
Transient cells

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Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Mesenchymal Cells

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Fibroblasts
Synthesis of extracellular Matrix
Collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, multiadhesive proteins

Stages of activity: (synthesis state)

Active (Fibroblast)
RER and Golgi complex rich Growth factors and differentiation

Quiescent (Fibrocyte)
Less RER

Fibroblast

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Adipocytes
Storage of fats
Insulation

Production of heat

Macrophage
Bone marrow -> Monocytes -> Macrophage Defense/Removing elements against:
Cell debris, abnormal ECM, neoplastic cells, bacteria

May present immune response

Antigen-presenting cells

Posses tumor cell-killing capabilities Activated macrophages

Increased phagocytotic capacity and intracellular digestion Enhanced lysosomal enzyme activity

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Macrophage

Mononuclear Phagocyte System

Monocyte derived cells Lymphocyte activation Monocyte differentiation:
Increased cell size Increased protein synthesis Increase in # of golgi complexes and lysosomes

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Mononuclear Phagocyte System

Mast Cells
Originated from bone marrow (progenitor cells) Inserted in the connective tissue proper Main functions:
Inflammatory response Innate immunity Tissue repair

Bioactive secretions
Heparin Histamine Serine proteases ECF-A and NCF Leukotrienes (SRS-A)

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Plasma Cells
Ovoid in shape with basophilic cytoplasm
Rich in RER

Originated from B lymphocytes Function:

Production of antibodies

IgE
Class of an antibody Anti-allergy and anti-parasite antibody

Plasma Cells

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Immediate hypersensitivity reactions

Leukocytes
White blood cells Wandering cells of connective tissues
Migrates through diapedesis Increased activity during inflammation

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Fibers
Polymerization of proteins
Collagen, reticular (collagen proteins)
Tendons, aponeuroses, organ capsules, meninges

elastic fibers (elastin proteins)

Stroma
Supporting tissue of organs Trabeculae and walls of organs

Stroma

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Collagen
Most abundant type of fiber in humans
30% dry weight

Protein derived Structural functionality

Skin, bone, cartilage, smooth muscles and BL

Characterized into:
Forms fibrils Fibril-associated Forms anchoring fibrils Forms network

Long Fibril-forming Collagen

Visible under light microscopes Type I is the most abundant Composition of the following structures
Tendons Organ capsules Dermis

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Long Fibril-forming Collagen

Fibril-Associated Collagen
Fibril binding collagen
Collagen to collagen Collagen to ECM compounds

FACIT
Fibril-associated collagen with interrupted triple helices Non-fibril forming type

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Anchoring Fibril-Forming Collagen

Binding basal lamina with reticular fibers of connective tissues

Network-Forming Collagen
Major structural component of BL
Type IV

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Collagen Synthesis
Occurs in many types of cells Procollagen chains
Collagen precursor Forms triple helices in ER from protein synthesis

Triple helix
Homotrimetric Heterotrimetric Combinations may affect the collagen type produced

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Collagen Associated Diseases

Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Mutation of genes of type I collagen Change in the position of Glycine

Progressive Systemic Sclerosis

Over accumulation of collagen (fibrosis) Hardening of affected organ Functional impairment

Kelloids
Local swelling due to abnormal collagen amount skin

Scurvy
Vitamin C deficiency Degeneration of connective tissue

Reticular Fibers
Mainly composed of Collagen III Argyrophilic
High affinity to silver salts

flexible in nature
Can change in form or volume
Eg. Arteries, small intestines and uterus

Reticular cells
Fibroblast-like cells: production of RF

Ehlers-Danlos Type IV disease

Deficiency in Type III collagen Artery and Small Intestine rupture

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Reticular Fibers

Adrenal cortex

Lymph node

Elastic Fibers
Thinner than collagen Network forming fibers Found in organs subject to stretching or bending
Eg. Arteries

mesentery

dermis

Smooth muscle

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Elastic Fiber Formation

1. Formation of fibrillin Microfibril accumulation

2. Deposition of elastin Increase in fiber size

3. Further accumulation of Elastin Formation of mature Elastic fiber

Elastic fiber precursors

Microfibril and fibrillin
Non-elastic precursor; highly resistant to pulling forces Holds the lens of the eye

Elastin
Matures in ECM Glycine and proline rich
Rubber-like capabilities

Combination of fibrillin and elastin can form variable types of fibers depending on their function

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Elastin Cross-link
Desmosine and isodemosine

Ground Substance
Highly water-based Complex of:
Anionic macromolecules (glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans Multiadhesive proteins (laminin, fibronectin, etc)

Function:
Strength and rigidity of the matrix Acts as lubricant and barrier to foreign bodies

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Glycosaminoglycans
Composition:
Hexosamine (galactosamine/glucosamine) Uronic acid (glucoronic/iduronic)

Hyaluronic acid
largest, most abundant GAG Functions:
Diffusion of molecules in connective tissues Lubrication to organs

Glycosaminoglycans

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Proteoglycans
Synthesized in RER, mature in Golgi, secreted via exocytosis Functions:
Structural and anchoring proteins Bind and sequester signalling proteins
Fibroblast growing factors

Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins

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Connective Tissues

Loose Connective Tissue

Areolar tissue Features:
Flexible, highly vascularized, not very resistant to stress

Function:
Supports structure subject to pressure and low friction (epithelia)

Location:
Papillae of the dermis, lining of the pleural and peritoneal cavities,

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Dense Connective Tissue

Adapted for resistance and protection Similar with LCT but:
More collagen Less resistant to stress

Two types:
Dense irregular Dense regular

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Collagen arranged in bundles but without any definite orientation Collagen bundles are arranged in a 3dimensional network
More resistant to stress

Found always in association with LCT

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LCT and DICT

Mammary gland

Esophagus

Blood vessels

Mesothelial Cells

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Has a definite pattern Linear orientation of the fibroblast Offers greater resistance to traction forces

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Reticular Tissue
Type III Collagen Framework to hematopoietic and lymphoid organs
Bone marrow, lymph node, spleen
The mononuclear phagocyte system are dispersed in the trabeculae to monitor the flow of materials and prevent foreign bodies through phagocytosis

Reticular Tissue

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Mucous Tissue
Found in umbilical cord (Wartons Jelly) and fetal tissues

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