DIRECTIONS FOR THIS READING ACTIVITY.

 Underline the keywords

 Look for the meaning of keywords on the Dictionary provided
and/or other academics sources.
 Read and discuss the assigned text, looking for the main ideas.
 At the end of the reading exercise, your ideas will be shared with
the other groups.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
OVERVIEW OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Connective tissue comprises a diverse group of cells within a tissue-specific

extracellular matrix.

In general, connective tissue consists of cells and an extracellular matrix (ECM).

ECM includes protein fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular) and an amorphous
component containing specialized molecules (proteoglycans, multiadhesive
glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans) that constitute the ground substance.
Connective tissue forms a vast and continuous compartment throughout the
body, bounded by the basal laminae of the various epithelia and by the basal or
external laminae of muscle cells and nerve-supporting cells.

Different types of connective tissue are responsible for a variety of functions.

The functions of the various connective tissues are reflected in the types of cells
and fibers present within the tissue and the composition of the ground substance
in the ECM. For example, in loose connective tissue, many cell types are present
(Fig. 6.1). One type, the fibroblast, produces the extracellular fibers that serve a
structural role in the tissue. Fibroblasts also produce and maintain the ground
substance. Other cell types, such as lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, and
eosinophils, are associated with the body’s defense system; they function within
the ECM of the tissue. In contrast, bone tissue, another form of connective tissue,
contains only a single cell type, the osteocyte. This cell produces the fibers that
make up the bulk of bone tissue. A unique feature of bone is that its fibers are
organized in a specific pattern and become calcified to create the hardness
associated with this tissue. Similarly, in tendons and ligaments, fibers are the
prominent feature of the tissue. These fibers are arranged in parallel array and
are densely packed to impart maximum strength.

CLASSIFICATION OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE

EMBRYONIC CONNECTIVE TISSUES

 ◗ Mesenchyme derives from embryonic mesoderm and gives rise to

various connective tissues of the body. It contains a loose network of
spindle-shaped cells that are suspended in a viscous ground substance
containing fine collagen and reticular fibers.
 ◗ Mucous connective tissue is present in the umbilical cord. It contains
widely separated spindle-shaped cells embedded in a gelatin-like,
hyaluronan-rich ECM; its ground substance is called Wharton’s jelly.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER

 ◗ Connective tissue proper is divided into loose and dense connective

tissue. Dense connective tissue is further subdivided into dense irregular
and dense regular connective tissue.

 ◗ Loose connective tissue is characterized by large number of cells of

various types embedded in an abundant gel-like ground substance with
loosely arranged fibers. It typically surrounds glands, various tubular
organs, blood vessels, and is found beneath the epithelia that cover
internal and external body surfaces.

 ◗ Dense irregular connective tissue contains few cells (primary

fibroblasts), randomly distributed bundles of collagen fibers, and relatively
little ground substance. It provides significant strength and allows organs to
resist excessive stretching and distension.

 ◗ Dense regular connective tissue is characterized by densely packed,

parallel arrays of collagen fibers with cells (tendinocytes) aligned between
the fiber bundles. It is the main functional component of tendons,
ligaments, and aponeuroses.
CONNECTIVE TISSUE FIBERS

◗ There are three principal types of connective tis- sue fibers: collagen, reticular,
and elastic fibers.

◗ Collagen fibers are the most abundant structural components of the

connective tissue. They are flexible, have a high tensile strength, and are formed
from collagen fibrils that exhibit a characteristic 68-nm banding pattern.

◗ Collagen fiber formation involves events that occur both within the fibroblasts
(production of procollagen molecules) and outside the fibro- blasts in the ECM
(polymerization of collagen molecules into fibril, which are assembled into larger
collagen fibers).

◗ Reticular fibers are composed of type III collagen and provide a supporting
framework for cells in various tissues and organs (abundant in lymphatic tissues).

◗ In the lymphatic and hemopoietic tissues, reticular fibers are produced by

specialized reticular cells. In most other tissues, reticular fibers are produced by
fibroblasts.

◗ Elastic fibers are produced by fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. They allow
tissues to respond to stretch and distension.

◗ Elastic fibers are composed of a central core of elastin associated with a

network of fibrillin microfibrils, which are made of fibrillin and emilin.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS

◗ Connective tissue cells are classified as part of the resident cell population
(relatively stable, nonmigratory) or the wandering (or transient) cell population
(primarily cells that have migrated from blood vessels).

◗ Resident cells include fibroblasts (and myofibroblasts), macrophages,

adipocytes, mast cells, and adult stem cells. Wandering (transient) cells include
lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes
(described in Chapter 10).

◗ Fibroblasts are the principal cells of connective tissue. They are responsible for
the synthesis of collagen and other components of the ECM.

◗ Fibroblasts that express actin filaments and associated actin motor proteins
such as no muscle myosin are called myofibroblasts.

◗ Macrophages are phagocytic cells derived from monocytes that contain an

abundant number of lysosomes and play an important role in immune response
reactions.

◗ Adipocytes are specialized connective tissue cells that store neutral fat and
produce a variety of hormones.

◗ Mast cells develop in bone marrow and differentiate in connective tissue. They
contain basophilic granules that store mediators of inflammation. Upon
activation, mast cells synthesize leukotrienes, interleukins, and other
inflammation-promoting cytokines.

◗ Adult stem cells reside in specific locations (called niches) in various tissues
and organs. They are difficult to distinguish from other cells of connective tissue.

EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX

 ◗ The ECM provides mechanical and structural sup- port for connective
tissue, influences extracellular communication, and provides pathways for
cell migration. In addition to protein fibers, the ECM contains ground
substance that is rich in proteo- glycans, hydrated glycosaminoglycans
(GAGs), and multiadhesive glycoproteins.