Avi Sayag, BPT, MA

0670-9328090

Q: What is the function of epithelium?

A: (Ps. STAR) 1. Protection (covers body surfaces, lines cavities) 2. Selective barrier 3. Secretion (constitutes glands) 4. Transport (cilia, transcellular, paracellular) 5. Absorption 6. Receptor function
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Q: What are the structural characteristics of epithelium?

Avascular tissue Polarity: consists of apical, lateral and basal domain Closely apposed to each other (by cellto-cell junctions) All rest on a basement membrane

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Q: Classify the various kinds of epithelium.

A: Simple (1 layer) or stratified (2 layers or more)
Squamous (width > height) Cuboidal (width height) Columnar (width < height)

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Q: What is a pseudostratified epithelium?

A: All epithelia lie on the basement membrane, but not all have a free apical surface. The nuclei are observed in different heights, lending the epithelium the illusion of few layers, while in effect it has only one.

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Q: What is a urothelium?
A: Also termed a transitional epithelium, the urothelium is a specialized epithelia with specific morphological characteristics which enable them to distend and relax. It consists of an umbrella-like cell, underneath which few cells are shaded. Top : distended Bottom : relaxed

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Q: Explain what endothelium and mesothelium are

A: Endothelium is a simple squamous epithelium lining the vascular system. Mesothelium is a simple squamous epithelium lining body cavities serous cavities (abdominal and pleural cavities).
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Q: Where can simple squamous epithelium be found?

Lining blood vessels (endothelium) Bowmans capsule in the kidney Lining body cavities (mesothelium) Respiratory spaces in the lungs
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Q: Where can simple cuboidal epithelium be found?

Kidney tubules Small ducts of exocrine glands Surface of ovaries

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Q: Where can simple columnar epithelium be found?

Small intestine and colon Stomach and gastric glands Gallbladder

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Q: Where can stratified squamous epithelium be found?

Skin (epidermis) Oral cavities and esophagus Vagina

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Q: Where can pseudostratified epithelium be found?

Trachea and bronchial tree Ductus deferens Efferent ductules of epididymis

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Q: Where can stratified cuboidal epithelium be found?

Large ducts of exocrine glands Anorectal junction Sweat glands

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Q: Where can stratified columnar epithelium be found?

Largest ducts of exocrine glands Anorectal junction

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Q: Where can urothelium be found? (transitional epithelium)

Kidney calyces Ureter Urethra bladder

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Q: What is an epitheloid tissue? Where can such tissue be found?

Cells that are closely apposed to each other, and lie on a basement membrane (i.e. exhibit some epithelium features), but lack a free apical surface. This tissue can be found in most endocrine glands (e.g. in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and in the parenchyma of the adrenal gland).
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Q: What is the basement membrane?

A non-cellular, protein-polysaccharides rich layer on which the basal domain is laid, and is observable in light microscope (usually referred to as basal lamina when observed in EM).

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Q: What molecules/proteins constitute the basal lamina?

Collagen: type IV, type VII (loops type III in the underlying connective tissue), type XVIII (function in angiogenesis) Laminin: functions in the initiation of the assembly of the basal lamina Entactin/Nidogen: serves as a link between collagen IV and laminin Proteoglycans: play a role in regulating the passage of ions (perlecan, agrin), for they carry a negative charge upon them.
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Q: Describe the synthesis of collagen IV

An chain is synthesized with an amino terminal (7S), a helical domain and a carboxyl terminal (NC1). 6 different chains are synthesized: 1- 6. 3 chains coil to form a trimer (three different trimers are possible). 2 triple helices dock head-to-head (NC1) to form a dimer. 4 dimers combine to form a tetramer (4 different tails interact). The tetramers interact to form a network pattern.
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Q: Why is the basement membrane difficult to be distinguished by light microscope?

The H&E staining makes it indistinguishable from the connective tissue immediately adjacent. The BM requires special staining PAS (periodic acid Schiff), or silver impregnation.

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Q: What functions are attributed to the basal lamina?

Structural attachment Compartmentalization Filtration Scaffolding Signaling and regulatory function

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Q: What anchors the basal lamina to the underlying connective tissue?

Anchoring fibrils: collagen type VII loops type III (mutation: dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa) Fibrillin microfibrils (Marphans syndrome) Discrete projections of the basal lamina.

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Q: What is HEV?
A: High Endothelium Venules Endothelium is composed of simple squamous epithelia. However, post-capillaries endothelium of certain lymphatic tissues consist of simple cuboidal epithelium. This is the site where lymphocytes migrate from the blood circulation to the lymph.

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Q: What is striated border/brush border?

In intestinal absorptive cells a distinctive border of vertical striations is observable in light microscope, representing the closepacked microvilli. In the kidney tubule cells it is called brush border
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Q: Describe the microvillus (filaments, anchoring proteins, terminal web, motor proteins, function)
Actin filaments Villin anchors actin to top of microvillus. Fimbrin and Fascin stabilize the actin at 10 nm intervals. Myosin I anchors the filaments to the plasma membrane. Horizontal actin filaments at the base form the terminal web. Spectrin stabilizes the actin in the terminal web. Myosin II and tropomyosin are the motor proteins. Microvilli increase the cell area surface for absorption purposes.

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Q: Stereocilia: location and description

Actin filaments Fimbrin as a stabilizing protein -actinin stabilizes within cilia and at terminal web Ezrin anchors to plasma membrane Located at the hair cell in the ear, epididymis and proximal part of ductus deferens At the ear, no ezrin and actinin.

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Q: what are the dimensions of the cilia, and what is the dark band stained at its base?
0.25 micrometer in diameter 2-10 micrometer long The dark staining is the basal body observed in light microscope.

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Q: describe the axoneme

9 doublets of A (complete circle) and B (10 protofilaments) 2 central microtubules Nexin connects A with adjacent B Radial spokes allow for a large oscillation Dynein as a motor protein
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Q: What are the dimensions related to the axoneme?

Nexin 86 nm intervals Dynein 24 nm intervals Radial spokes 29 nm intervals Central sheath projection 14 nm intervals

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Q: what is the basal body?

A structure associated with the axoneme, located at its base, and from which the axoneme rises. Exhibits a 9+0 pattern. 9 triplets of 13, 10 and 9 protofilaments As the centrioles divide, they produce procentrioles, each migrates to the apical surface where it gives rise to the basal body.
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Q: What is primary cilia? Name the pathology related to this structure.

An embryonic cilia with a 9 + 0 pattern (9 doublets). In embryonic development, it exhibits a rotational movement which creates a nodal flow. Sensory receptors in the left side of the embryonic disk sense this flow and develop in the left side. Mutated primary cilium may bring about PCD primary ciliary dyskinesia (e.g. situs inversus).
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Q: What is a terminal bar?

A dense bar or line between the apical part of apposing cells, observable in light microscope, and representing the junctional complex.

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Q: Zonula occludens (TM proteins, IC proteins, cytoskeleton attachment)

Transmembrane (TM) proteins: claudin, occludin Intra-cellular (IC) proteins: ZO-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3 Cytoskeleton attachment: actin Claudin serves both as a backbone and forms an aqueous channel. The more claudins are present, the tighter the junction is. This junction seals and controls the passage of substances, defines the apex and is involved in cell signaling.
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Q: what are the 2 mechanisms of selective passage in zonula occludens?

Paracellular Transcellular Mostly determined by the claudin TM protein

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Q: Name the types of anchoring junction in the lateral domain and in the basal domain
Lateral domain: Zonula adherens (pl. zonulae adherentes) Macula adherens (desmosome) Basal domain: Focal adhesion Hemidesmosome
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1.

2.

1. 2.

Q: Explain what CAM is

Cell Adhesion Molecules. TM molecules which are essential part in anchoring junctions.
1. 2. 3. 4.

Cadherins Ca dependent Integrins Selectins Immunoglobin superfamily (IgSF)

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Q: explain the terms homotypic binding and heterotypic binding

Homotypic binding: when 2 CAMs of the same type interact in their extra-cellular domains. Heterotypic binding: when 2 CAMs of different types interact in their extracellular domains.

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Q: Zonula adherens (TM proteins, IC proteins, cytoskeleton attachment)

TM: cadherin IC: catenin, vinculin, -actinin Cytoskeleton: actin 15-20 nm space is formed between junctional cells.

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Q: Macula adherens (TM proteins, IC proteins, cytoskeleton attachment)

TM: desmocollin and desmoglein (cadherins) IC: desmoplakin and plakoglobin (form plaque of 400X250X10 nm) Cytoskeleton: intermediate filiments Intercellular space: 30 nm.
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Q: Focal adhesion (TM proteins, IC proteins, cytoskeleton attachment)

TM: integrins (usually attached to fibronectin and laminin in the basal lamina) IC: -actinin, vinculin, talin, paxillin Cytoskeleton: actin Play an role in sensing and transmitting signals from the extra-cellular environment to the interior of the cell.
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Q: Hemidesmosome (TM proteins, IC proteins, cytoskeleton attachment)

TM: integrins (6 4), collagen type XVII and CD151 IC: BP230, erbin, plectin Cytoskeleton: intermediate filaments Collagen type VII attaches the basal lamina to the underlying reticular fibers (collagen III).
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Q: describe the gap junction

6 subunits of connexin form a connexon (channel). 2 connexons of opposing cells dock onto each other to form a 10 nm long channel (2.8 nm in diameter) Opening and closing of the channel is calcium mediated Channels can be hetero- or homotypic (determines the directionality of the ion passage).

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Q: What pathologies are associated with Cx (connexins)?

Congenital deafness mutated Cx 26 Inherited cataract mutated Cx 46, Cx 50.

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Q: What are plicae?

Lateral cell surface folds which create interdigitating cytoplasmic processes of adjoining cells. Mostly found in epithelia engaged in fluid and electrolyte transport (e.g intestine and gallbladder). Their purpose is to increase the surface area between the 2 cells.

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Q: What are the 3 main types of glands?

Exocrine: the substance is secreted onto a surface (whether inside or outside the body) Endocrine: the substance is secreted into the bloodstream and travels to its destination. Endocrine glands have no ducts. Paracrine: the substance secreted affects other cells within the same epithelium.

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Q: What is a merocrine secretion?

Exocrine secretion: the secreted substance is enclosed in a vesicle, which fuses with the plasma membrane and leaves the cell via exocytosis.
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Q: What is an apocrine secretion?

Exocrine secretion: the secretory substance is released in the apical portion surrounded by a thin plasma membrane. Mostly found in lactating mammary glands where fat droplets are secreted to the milk.
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Q: What is a holocrine secretion?

Exocrine secretion: the secretory product accumulates within the maturing cell, which simultaneously undergoes apoptosis. The product is released into the lumen of the gland.

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Q: What are the 2 major classes of glands (morphological differentiation)

Unicellular (e.g. Goblet cell) Multicellular

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Q: What is the classification of multicellular glands?

Simple (unbranched duct) or compound (branched duct) Tubular (straight, branched, coiled), acinar/alveolar (single/branched), tubuloalveolar.

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Classification of glands
Simple tubular

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Classification of glands
Simple coiled

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Classification of glands
Simple branched tubular

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Classification of glands
Simple acinar

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Classification of glands
Simple branched acinar

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Classification of glands
Compound tubular

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Classification of glands
Compound acinar

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Classification of glands
Compound tubuloalveolar

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