LESSON 5: CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROTEOGLYCANS

 This provides a matrix that supports  It is the main structural constituents
and physically connects other tissues and are responsible for the gelatinous
and cells together to form the organs of character of the ground substance of
the body. connective tissue.
 A glue that binds body parts together  This consist of a core protein to which
while llowing for some degree of dissacharides- in the form of
movement of parts in relation to their glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) - are
immediate anatomical neighbors. attached covalently in a radiating
 Extracellular matrix: Major pattern.
constituent of connective tissue;  Proteoglycan molecules attached to
Combination of protein fibers and hyaluronic acid by link-proteins to
ground substances form bigger molecules called
 Mesenchyme: Originate of connective proteoglycan aggregates or
tissue; A tissue developing mainly proteoglycan complexes.
from the middle layer of the embryo,
the mesoderm GLYCOPROTEINS
 Mesenchymal cells: Undifferentiated 1. Fibrillar
and have large nuclei, with prominent  Fibrillin: Non-sulfated
nucleoli and fine chromatin; Spindle molecule that forms an
shaped with scant cytoplasm extended integral part of elastic fibers.
as two or more thin cytoplasmic 2. Other glycoproteins that are
processes. involved in cell adhesion and
EXTRACELLULAR SUBSTANCE OF migration:
CONNECTIVE TISSUE (CONNECTIVE  Fibronectin
TISSUE MATRIX)  Laminin
 Thrombospondin
1. Ground substance
2. Extracellular fibers EXTRACELLULAR FIBERS
3. Collagen fibers  These are the primary responsible for
4. Elastic fibers the supportive function of connective
5. Reticular fibers tissue
GROUND SUBSTANCE  These have three (3) types:
1. Collagen
 Amorphous, homogenous, transparent 2. Elastic
and hydrated gel. 3. Reticular
 It consists of water that is stabilized by
proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid, COLLAGEN FIBERS
mineral salts, and glycoproteins.  This is a key element of all connective
 The water makes it easy for oxygen, tissues, as well as epithelial basement
nutrients, and other needed materials membranes and the external laminae
to diffuse from blood to connective of muscle and nerve cells.
tissue cells.  This is the most abundant protein in the
human body representing 30% of its
dry weight.
CATEGORIES OF COLLAGEN
1. Fibrillar collagen
 These often densely fill the
connective tissue, forming
structures such as tendons,
organ capsules and dermis.

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 LESSON 5: CONNECTIVE TISSUE

2. Network or sheet-forming collagens

 Major structural protein of
external laminae and all
epithelial basal laminae.
3. Linking/Anchoring collagens
 Short collagens that link
fibrillary collagens to one
another and to other
components of ECM
(Extracellular matrix).

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LESSON 5: CONNECTIVE TISSUE

ELASTIC FIBERS
 These have rubberlike properties that
allow tissue containing these fibers,
such as stroma of the lungs, to be
streched or distented and return to their
original shape.
 They are a compositive of fibrillin,
which forms a network of microfibrils.
 In the wall of large blood vessels,
especially arteries, elastic also occurs
in fenestrated sheets called elastic
lamellae.

RETICULAR FIBERS
 This consist mainly of collagen type III,
which forms an extensive network of
think fibers for the support of many
different cells.
 This serves as supportive stroma for
parenchymal secretory cells and rich
microvasculature of the liver and
endocrine glands.
 This characterize the stroma of
hematopoietic tissue, spleen, and
lymph nodes wher ethey support
rapidly changing populations of
proliferating cells and phagocytic cells.

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 LESSON 5: CONNECTIVE TISSUE

MACROPHAGES AND THE

MONONUCLEAR PHAGOCYTE
SYSTEM
 Macrophages: This has an
eccentrically located, oval or kidney
shaped nucleus; This dervied from
precursor cells which are called
monocytes.
 This is present in the connective tissue
of most orgns and are sometimes
referred to by pathologist as
“histiocytes”.
 In debris removal, macrophages
CELLS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE secrete growth factors important for
tissue repair and also function in the
1. Fibroblasts uptake, processing and presentation of
2. Adipocytes antigens for lymphocyte activation.
3. Macrophages and the Mononuclear
Phagocyte System MAST CELLS
4. Mast cells
 Oval or irregularly shaped cells of
5. Plasma cells
connective tissue filled with basophilic
6. Leukocytes
secretory granules that often obscure
FIBROBLASTS the central nucleus.
 This function in the localized release
 The most common cells in connective of many bioactive substances
tissue proper. important in the local inflammatory
 This produce and maintain most of the response, innate immunity and tissue
tissue’s extracellular components. repair.
 This synthesize and secrete collagen  Molecules released in the secretory
(the most abundant protein of the body) granules of mast cells:
and elastin, which both forms as large 1. Heparin: This acts as
fibers. anticoagulant.
2. Histamine: This promotes
increased vascular
permeability and smooth
muscle contraction.
3. Serine proteases: This
activate various mediators of
inflammation.
4. Eosinophil and neutrophil
chemotactic factors
5. Cytokines: This directs the
activities of leukocytes and
other cells of the immune
ADIPOCYTES
system.
 Other name “Fat cells” 6. Phospholipid precursors
 A large, mesenchymally derived cells
that are specialized for cytoplasmic PLASMA CELLS
storage of lipid as neutral fats, or less  Lymphocyte-derived, antibody
commonly for the production of heat. producing cells.
 This serves to cushion and insulate the  Their average life span in only 10-20
skin and the organs. days.
 These are large, ovoid cells with
basophilic cytoplasm.

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 LESSON 5: CONNECTIVE TISSUE

 With round nuclei frequently show RETICULAR TISSUE

peripheral clumps, giving the structure
a “clock-face” appearance.  This characterized by abundant fivers
of type III collagen forming a delicate
LEUKOCYTES network that supports various type
cells.
 These substances act on local blood  This is also known as reticulin.
vessels, mast cells, macrophages, and  This produced by modified fibroblasts
other cells to induce events called reticular cellls
characteristic of inflammation.
 This participating in both the innate MUCOID TISSUE
and humoral immune responses.
 They circulate in the blood and mount  This is the principal component of the
inflammatory and cellular responses to fetal umbilical cord, where it is
injury or pathogens. referred to as Wharton’s jelly.
 This is similar to tissue found in the
TYPES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE vitreous chambers of the eyes and pulp
cavities of young teeth.
1. Connective Tissue proper
2. Reticular Tissue
3. Mucoid Tissue
CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER
 This classified as “loose” or “dense”
that refers to the amount of collagen
present.
 Loose connective tissue or Areolar
tissue: Common, forming a layer
beneath the epithelial lining of many
organs and filling the spaces between
fibers of muscle and nerve.
 Dense Connective tissue: Same
component as loose connective tissue,
but with fewer cells; This protects and
supports organs; Resists tearing
1. Dense irregular connective
tissue
 Bundles of collagen
fibers appear
randomly interwoven,
with no definite
orientation.
2. Dense regular connective
tissue
 This consists mostly
Type I collagen
bundles and
fibroblasts aligned in
parallel for great
resistance to
prolonged or repeated
stress from the same
direction.

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