L5: Connective tissue cells Flashcards
What is the function of CT?
The CT supports, surrounds, binds, and separates various tissues and organs.
What are the types of CT?
True(proper)β->loose and dense
Supportiveββ>bone and cartilage
Liquidββ>blood
What are the characters of white collagenous fibers?
β Color: the bundles are white in color.
β Strong and resist stretch.
β It forms wavy bundles.
β Can be affected by
ο² converted into gelatin by boiling
ο² Destroyed by acids & alkalies.
What are the components of CT?
-cells, fibres and matrix
How is white collagenous fibres seen under LM?
The bundles can be stained:
ο² Acidophilic with Hx & E.
ο² Blue with Mallory trichrome stain.
ο² Red with Van Giesonβs stain.V
How is white collagenous fibres seen under EM?
β Each collagenous bundle is formed of a group of fibers which are composed of fibrils.
β Each fibril is formed of tropocollagen molecules: -.
ο Synthesized by Fibroblasts
ο Length is 280 nm
ο Each molecule is composed of 3 polypeptide chains twisted around each other to form a triple helix.
ο The arrangement of tropocollagen molecules gives the fibril a cross banding appearance Structure
What are the types and sites of collagen?
What are the characters of yellow elastic fibers?
ο Color: yellow.
ο Elastic in nature
ο The fibers branch & anastomose
How is yellow elastic fibre seen under LM?
ο Hx & E.: acidophilic.
ο Van Giesonβs stain: yellow.
ο Ver-Hoffβs stain: black.
How are yellow elastic fibres seen under EM?
Each fiber is formed of:
ο² Amorphous protein in the center called elastin
ο² Microfibrils in the periphery called oxytalan fibers.
What are the sites of yellow elastic fibres?
ο In the walls of arteries.
ο In the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.
ο Ligamentum flavum between vertebrae.
ο Ligamentum nuchae in the back of the neck
οSuspensory ligament of the penis
What is the structure of reticular fibers?
ο They are very thin fibers that branch and anastomose to form a network.
How are reticular fibres seen under LM?
ο Hx & E: not stained.
ο Silver: brown to black (Agyrophilic)
ο PAS: Magenta colored (polysaccharides).
What are the sites of reticular fibers?
ο The stroma of parenchymatous organs e.g. Liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.
ο Reticular lamina of the basement membranes.
What is the matrix composed of?
ο Composed of three components:
1) Amorphous component.
2) Fibrous component
3) Tissue fluid
What is the amorphous part composed if?
ο The amorphous part: formed of two main parts:
1) Glycosaminoglycans (gags)
2) Glycoproteins
GAGS in CT
Non-sulphated type (hyaluronic acid)
Soft jelly-like
Not linked to a core of protein
Can be hydrolyzed by hyaluronidase enzyme
Sulphated type (chondroitin sulphate)
hard
Linked to a core of protein forming proteoglycans.
Not affected.
ο Stain: Metachromatic stain e.g., Toluidine blueβreddish-purple in Color.
Glycoproteins in CT.
Act as adhesive material.
Examples:
ο² Chondronectin in cartilage.
ο² Osteonectin in bone.
ο Stain: PASβ magenta-colored.
What are fixed CT cells?
-undifferentiated mesenchymal cell
-fibroblasts
-adipocytes (fat cells or adipose cells)
-reticular cells
-macrophages (clasmatocyes or histiocytes)
What is the origin of the undifferentiated mesenchymal cell?
Mesodermal cells of the embryo
Can mesenchymal cells divide?
Yes
Are mesenchymal cells differentiated?
No
How is UMC seen under LM?
Cytoplasm: pale basophilic due to little ribosomes
Nucleus:clovesβ->central,vesicular,large,oval,single
Sites: pre-natalβ->in the embryonic CT
Post-natalβ->in decides teeth and in pericytes surrounding the blood capillaries
Shape: Branched with few cell processes which are thin and long
Number: common in embryonic CT (mucoid and mesenchymal)
Size: Tiny
How is UMC seen under LM?
Cytoplasm: pale basophilic due to little ribosomes
Nucleus:clovesβ->central,vesicular,large,oval,single
Sites: pre-natalβ->in the embryonic CT
Post-natalβ->in decides teeth and in pericytes surrounding the blood capillaries
Shape: Branched with few cell processes which are thin and long
Number: common in embryonic CT (mucoid and mesenchymal)
Size: Tiny
how is UMC seen under EM?
Mainly free polysomes (little rER and small Golgi)
What is the function of UMC?
It acts as a multipotent stem mother cell.
What are fibroblasts?
The most common type of C.T. cells that are responsible for the synthesis of C.T. matrix and fibers.
What is the origin of fibroblasts?
develop from pericytes (branched cells around blood capillaries) which develop from U.M.C.