Final Flashcards
(172 cards)
_______ is necessary to maintain tissue function
Cell Renewal
What cell types are capable of re-entering the cell cycle and replacing damaged/lost cells?
fibroblasts and endothelial cells
Describe why cell renewal is necessary to maintain tissue function
Most somatic cells are arrested in G0 and do not proliferate
Cells in tissues may be lost due to DNA damage, injury, apoptosis etc.
New cells must replace these damaged/dead cells in the tissue – cell renewal
What is endothelial cell proliferation is driven by?
The growth factor VEGF
What can damage to endothelial cells/blood vessels lead to?
Hypoxia – tissue is not receiving enough oxygen
What does tissue hypoxia promote?
vascular endothelial growth factor production (VEGF) secretion, which in turn promotes endothelial cell proliferation through RTK signaling
What do endothelial cell do in response to VEGF?
Endothelial cells proliferate and form new capillaries (angiogenesis), which innervates the hypoxic tissue with new blood vessels
Describe the four stages of Wound healing
- Hemostasis
- Inflammation
- Proliferation
- Remodeling
Describe the four stages of wound healing
Hemostasis – cessation of blood flow: blood vessels constrict to minimize blood flow/loss, platelets promote clot formation, fibrin (fibrous protein) cross links platelets in clot
Inflammation – immune cells travel from bloodstream to wound site, fluid build up and immune cell extravasation promoted by vasodilation of blood vessels (swelling), increasing blood flow (redness)
Proliferation – fibroblasts enter wound site and secrete ECM components including collagen, rebuilding lost ECM. Epithelial cells continue to proliferate and close wound, myofibroblasts help pull damaged tissue together, new blood vessels form to innervate newly formed tissue through angiogenesis
Remodeling – collagen fibers are remodeled (type III to type I), new epithelium is fully formed and scar tissue forms
What do fibroblasts differentiate into?
A specific subtype of fibroblast called the myofibroblast
When do myofibroblasts form?
Myofibroblasts form from differentiation of fibroblasts during wound healing
What do myofibroblasts do?
Myofibroblasts are contractile cells that promote wound healing by pulling damaged tissue together using smooth muscle type actin and myosin during the proliferation phase
This differentiation process is driven by mechanical tension and the cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)
What is the average lifespan of the human liver cells?
200-300 days
Describe two aspects of liver regeneration
- Liver cells are arrested in G0 but capable of re-entering cell cycle
- Liver regeneration is done by normal differentiated liver cells in response to specific extracellular signals
Describe a fact about rat liver removal
In rats, surgical removal of 2/3 of the liver leads to full regeneration of liver in a few days
What are most cells in adult tissues are replaced by?
The proliferation and differentiation of stem cells
Define stem cells
Stem cells - undifferentiated cells with the potential for self renewal and differentiation
What are stem cells capable of?
Stem cells are capable of asymmetric cell division, producing one stem cell and one differentiating cell through mitosis (can also produce two stem cells through mitosis)
What are trasit-amplifying cells?
undifferentiated cells in transition from stem to differentiated cell
Define differentiation
process of becoming a specialized cell type – involves large changes in gene expression (epigenetics, chromatin remodeling), also changes in cell morphology, metabolism etc.
What is a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)?
a classic model of a self-renewing stem cell that gives rise to a multitude of differentiated cell types
Describe the different types of blood cells
Erythrocytes – red blood cells, transport oxygen and CO2
Platelets – fragments of megakaryocytes that promote clot formation
Macrophages – phagocytic cells involved in both innate and adaptive immunity
Granulocytes – white blood cells with immune functions, characterized by secretory granules
B and T lymphocytes (B cells and T cells)– white blood cells involved in adaptive immune response
How many blood cells does the human body produce in a day?
100 billion
What does the maintenance of blood cell populations depend on?
Adult blood cells do not proliferate – maintenance of cell populations depends on hematopoietic stem cell population maintenance