Biochem - Connective Tissue Flashcards
Types of connective tissue diseases
Sarcoma
Autoimmune
Congenital
Acquired
Examples of autoimmune connective tissue diseases
RhA
SLE
Examples of congenital connective tissue diseases
OI
Ehlers Danlos syndrome
Marfans
Examples of acquired connective tissue diseases
Scurvy
OA
Tendinitis
Characteristics of connective tissue
Highly specialised Mechanical support, movement Contains blood vessels, nerves Arena for fighting infection Regulates cell behaviour
Connective tissue components
Fibres
‘Ground substance’
Matricelluar proteins
Spp cells
Connective tissue fibres
Collagen
Elastic fibres
‘Ground substance’
Everything except collagen e.g. proteoglycans
Spp cells found in skin, tendons and ligaments
Fibroblasts
Spp cells found in cartilage
Chondrocytes
Spp bones found in bone
Osteocytes (osteoclasts and osteoblasts)
Structure of elastic fibres
Heavily cross linked
Components of elastic fibres
Elastin
Fibrillins (1-3)
Fibulins
Matriculates Associated Glycoproteins (MAGP)
Roles of elastic fibres
Structure
Regulation (growth factor signalling)
Conditions caused by defects in elastin
Cutis laxa
Wiliams syndrome
Supravalvular aortic stenosis
Conditions caused by defect in Fibrillin-1 (fibrillinopathies)
Marfan syndrome
Acromelial dysplasia
Stiff skin syndrome
Progeroid syndrome
What is proteoglycan important for
Connective tissue material properties
Features of proteoglycan
Variable in size
Confer viscoelastic properties
Hold water in tissue
Interact w. cells, cytokines and collagen
Main structural component of connective tissue
Collagen fibrils
Structure of collagen fibrils
3 alpha chains arranged in triple helix secreted into ECM
Each alpha chain is a single gene product
Types of collagen
Type I Type II Type III Type IV Type V
Type I collagen
Approx 90% of the collagen in the body is type I
Main component of bone, dermis, tendons and ligaments
Utilised in wound healing
Type II collagen
Formed of copolymers
Main component of cartilage and is also found in the cornea and vitreous humour
Type III collagen
Found in arteries and hollow organs, often in combination with type I
Also called reticular fibres
Type IV collagen
Forms basement membrane
Type V collagen
Found in cell surfaces, placenta and hair
Helps organise type I collagen in the dermis