Epithelial cells Flashcards
Specialised functions of epithelial cells + examples
form a covering for body surfaces e.g. skin, gut and ducts
secretory glands e.g. salivary tissue and liver
absorption
joining of epithelial cells
joined by adhesion specialisations
anchor cytoskeleton to neighbours and underlying/surrounding extracellular materials
types of cell shape
squamous - flat, plate like cuboidal - height and width similar columnar - height 2-5x greater than width rounded polygonal
simple epithelium
single layer where all cells are in contact w/ basement membrane
stratified epithelium
several layers where only bottom layer of cells contact basement membrane
pseudostratified epithelium
epithelial cells appear to be arranged in layers, but are all in contact w/ basement membrane
transitional epithelium
special type of stratified epithelium
restricted to lining of urinary tract
varies between cuboidal and squamous, depending on degree of stretching
simple squamous epithelium
single layer of flat, plate like cells
nuclei are flattened, cytoplasm distinct
types of simple squamous epithelium
endothelium - lines blood vessels
mesothelium - lines abdominal and pleural cavities
simple cuboidal epithelium
single layer of cells w/ similar height, width and depth
centrally placed nucleus
simple columnar epithelium
single layer of cells with height 2-5x their width
basal nuclei arranged in ordered layer
stratified squamous epithelium
several layers of cells, lower layer contacts basement membrane
superficial part has squamous cells
middle and basal layers have pyramidal or polygonal cells
how is structural integrity of epithelium maintained, and how is it mediated?
adhesion of constituent cells to each other and structural extracellular matrix
cell membrane proteins act as specialised cell adhesion molecules
specialised areas of cell membrane are incorporated into cell junctions
three types of cell membrane and their functions
occluding junctions - link cells together to form an impermeable barrier
anchoring junctions - link cells to provide mechanical strength
communicating junctions - allow movement of molecules between cells
main functions of occluding junctions
prevent diffusion of molecules between adjacent cells
prevent lateral migration of specialised cell membrane proteins - delineating and maintaining specialised cell membrane domains
what is the occluding function performed by?
intramembranous proteins - mediate adhesion of adjacent cells
where are occluding junctions well developed?
small bowel:
prevent digested macromolecules from passing between cells
confine specialised cell membrane areas involved in absorption/secretion to luminal side of cell
where else are occluding junctions important?
in cells actively transporting a substance, e.g. active transport of an ion against a concentration gradient
prevent back-diffusion of substance
how are intramembranous proteins arranged?
serpiginous intertwining lines (sealing strands)
examples of intramembranous proteins
occludin and claudin
what protein is mainly responsible for diffusion barrier?
claudin
function of anchoring junctions
provide mechanical stability - allow groups of epithelial cells to function as a cohesive unit
structure of anchoring junction
intracellular link proteins attach cytoskeletal filaments of adjacent cells to transmembrane proteins
extracellular interaction is mediated by additional extracellular proteins or ions, e.g. Ca2+
example of a transmembrane protein
cadherin - uses Ca2+
structure of a specific cadherin junction
F-actin fibres are linked by alpha and beta catenins, vinculin and alpha actinin to E-cadherin - Ca2+
focal contact structure and function
link actin filament network of a cell to extracellular matrix
bundles of actin filaments interact w/ alpha actinin, vinculin and talin (actin-binding proteins) to link w/ integrin
desmosomes function
connect intermediate filament networks of adjacent cells
hemidesmosomes function
connect intermediate filament network of cells to extracellular matrix
where are adherent junctions most common?
towards apex of adjacent columnar and cuboidal epithelial cells
adhesion belt
linked submembranous actin bundles
prominent in small intestine - zone visible as eosinophilic band (terminal bar)
adherent junctions in embryogenesis
transmit motile forces generated by actin filaments across cell sheets. mediate folding of epithelial sheets to form organs in the embryo
desmosome structure - intracellular plaque, filaments inserted into plaque, cell adhesion mediation, transmembrane proteins
intracellular plaque consisting of desmoplakin, associated w/ plakoglobin and plakophilin. tonofilaments (cytokeratin intermediate filaments) are inserted into plaque
cell adhesion mediated by transmembrane proteins desmoglein and desmocollin (cadherins)
hemidesmosome structure - intracellular plaque, tonofilaments, transmembrane proteins
interacts w/ extracellular matrix
tonofilaments usually terminate end-on, don’t loop through
intracellular plaque contains proteins plectin and BPAG1e
transmembrane anchoring proteins are beta4 integrin, alpha6 integrin and BPAG2
tonofilaments
cytokeratin intermediate filaments
junctional complex
close association of several types of junction between adjacent epithelial cells - maintains structural and functional integrity