CONNECTIVE TISSUES

By: Jerel Vincen H. Fernandez

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lecture,
the student will be able
to:
 identify the different
connective tissues
 describe the functions of
each kind of connective
tissue
 identify the different
chemicals involved in
connective tissues
Introduction
 Connective Tissues:
 Maintain the form of organs

 Provide matrix that connects cells together in organs

 Has more ECM than cells

 Proteins-
Eg. Collagen
 Ground substance
Introduction
 Connective Tissues:
 Originate from MESENCHYME
 Tissue in the MESODERM
 Mesodermal cells migrate into developing organs
Introduction
 Connective Tissues:
 COMPOSITION:
 Cells
 ECM
 Fibers
 Ground substance
Cells of Connective Tissues
Cells of Connective Tissues
 May come from:
 Mesenchymal origin
 Fibroblasts
 Adipocytes

 Medullary origin
 Macrophages
 Plasma Cells
 Mast Cells
Connective Tissue Cells
Mesenchymal Origin
Mesenchymal Origin
 Fibroblasts
 MOST COMMON CELLS IN CONNECTIVE TISSUES

 FUNCTION:
 Collagen and elastin synthesis and secretion

 Change in shape when biochemically active

 FIBROBLAST: Larger, more RER, active
 FIBROCYTE: Smaller, less RER, inactive
Mesenchymal Origin
 Fibroblasts
 Stop mitotic activity in adolescence
 Triggered by growth factors
Mesenchymal Origin
 Adipocytes
 Contain
lipids
 FUNCTION:
 Lipid storage
 Heat production
 Cushion to vital organs
 Insulation
Connective Tissue Cells
Medullary Origin
Medullary Origin
 Macrophages
 Has well developed phagocytic activity
 Has eccentric, kidney shaped nucleus

 In pathologic conditions, fuse together to form

multinuclear giant cells

 FUNCTION:
 Removal of foreign substances
 Removal of dead cells and tissue debris
 Temporary fat storage
 Iron storage
Medullary Origin

Name of Macrophage Location

Histiocytes Connective Tissues

Kupffer cells Liver

Mesangial cells Kidney

Littoral cells Spleen

Microglial cells Brain, CNS

Osteoclasts Bone

Langerhans cells Epidermis

Monocyte Circulation

Dendritic cells Lymph nodes

Medullary Origin
 Mast Cells
 Has acidic pH
 Has the same function with basophils

 Abundant in secretory granules

 FUNCTION:
 Histamine and Heparin production and release
 Eosinophilic chemotactic factor production
 Inflammation
 Hypersensitivity reaction
Medullary Origin
 Plasma cells
 Activated B-cells
 Has rich RER

 Average life span is only 10-20 days

 FUNCTIONS:
 Antibody production
 Leukocytes
ECM-Fibers
Fibers
 Located in the ECM of connective tissues
 Made up of proteins
 Has three (3) main kinds:
 __________________

 __________________

 __________________
Collagen
 Most abundant protein in the body
 Function
 Made by fibroblasts
 Vertebrates have 28 kinds
 Divided into three (3) main groups:
 Fibrillar
collagens
 Sheeth-forming collagens

 Linking/anchoring collagens
Fibrillar Collagens
 Collagens that bundle together to form larger
collagen fibrils
 FUNCTIONS:
 Resistance to injury, stress, tension and pressure
 COMMON FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS
 Type I- Most abundant collagen (skin, bones, tendon)
 Type II- Found mostly in cartilage
 Type III- Maintains structure of elastic organs
 Type V- Supports Type I
 Type XI- Supports Type II
Sheeth-Forming Collagen
 Make up majority of the structural proteins in basal
lamina of epithelial tissues
 COMMON FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS
 Type IV
Linking/Anchoring Collagen
 FUNCTION:
 Links fibrillar collagens to each other
 Links sheet-forming collagen together in basal lamina

 Links basal lamina and reticular lamina of basment

membrane of epithelial tissues
Linking/Anchoring Collagen
 COMMON LINKING COLLAGENS
 Type VII- Basal lamina and reticular lamina
 Type IX- Type II Collagen fibrils

 Type XII- Type I Collagen fibrils

 Type XIV- Binds Type I Collagen fibrils with Type V

and Type XII collagen
Reticular Fibers
 Also part of the collagen family
 Mainly made up of Type III collagen
 Thinnest fiber in connective tissues
 Notseen in H and E staining
 Seen in silver salt impregnation

 Seen in:
 Basement membrane of epithelial tissues
 Surrounding adipocytes, smooth muscles and blood
vessels
Reticular Fibers
 FUNCTION:
 Main component of reticular lamina in basement
membrane of epithelial cells
 Acts as stroma to:
 Secretorycells in Liver
 Hematopoietic tissue
 Lymphatic organs
Elastic Fibers
 Thinner than collagen
 Found in organs that require bending and stretching
 Not stained well in H and E
 Made up of ELASTIN
 Contains DESMOSINE
 Oxidized lysine bound to elastin
ECM-Ground Substance
Ground Substance
 Highly hydrated

 FUNCTION:
 Fillsin spaces between cells and fibers in connective
tissues
 Acts as lubricant

 Barrier for invading antigens

Ground Substance
 Made up of:
 GAG
 Eg.
Hyaluronic acid (Largest GAG)
 Made up of: Hexosamine and a uronic acid

 Proteoglycans
 Composed of polysaccharides and sulfated GAG
 Multiadhesive glycoproteins
Types of Connective Tissue
Types of Connective Tissue
 Connective Tissue Proper
 Loose
 Dense
 Embryonic
 Mesenchyme

 Specialized Connective Tissue

 Adipose
 Cartilage
 Bone
 Blood
Connective Tissue Proper
Types of Connective Tissue
 Loose Connective Tissue
 A.K.AAreolar Tissue
 More ground substance and cells and little collagen

 Contains all kinds of fibers

 FUNCTION:
 Supports microvasculature, nerves and immune defense cells
 EXAMPLE:
 Lamina Propria
Types of Connective Tissue
 Reticular Connective Tissue
 Specialized Loose Connective tissue
 Contains only reticular fibers
 Produced by reticular cells
 FUNCTION:
 Supports blood forming cells
 LOCATION:
 Bone Marrow
 Liver
 Pancreas
 Adrenal glands
Types of Connective Tissue
 Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
 Contains high amount of collagen

 Collagen fibers are dispersed all around the connective

tissue

 Little amount of cells and ground substance

Types of Connective Tissue
 Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
 FUNCTION:
 Resists tearing
 LOCATION:
 Dermisof the skin
 Submucosa of Digestive tract
Types of Connective Tissue
 Dense Regular Connective Tissue
 Contains high amount of collagen

 Collagen fibers are organized and arranged all

around the connective tissue

 Little amount of cells and ground substance

Types of Connective Tissue
 Dense Regular Connective Tissue
 FUNCTION:
 Provide strong connections within musculoskeletal system
 Provides strong resistance to force

 LOCATION:
 Ligaments
 Tendons
 Corneal stroma
Types of Connective Tissue
 Mesenchyme
 Embryonic connective tissue

 Originate from mesoderm of embryo

 Contains progenitor cells fro development of connective

tissue proper in adults
Specialized Connective Tissue
Types of Connective Tissue
 Includes:
 Adipose

 Cartilage

 Blood

 Bone
Adipose
 Made up of adipocytes
 Store lipids form three (3) sources:
 Dietary

 Liverderived
 Localized
Adipose
 Has two (2) types:
 White Adipose
 Forlong term storage
 Each adipocyte contains a single large lipid droplet
(UNILOCULAR)
 Brown Adipose