Fibers of Connective

Tissue
 Rhaynuel Tobbie Banaag
Ingrid Broqueza
Jane Elizabeth Catriz
Anrey P. Cervantes
Benz Kian Ross De Ramos
Daniela Marie Dilao
Darling Alexis Miyoshi
Ann Sherina Mihaella Orlina
Sophia Angela Salalima
TO COMPREHEND THE CELLULAR AND EXTRACELLULAR
COMPONENTS THAT MAKE UP CONNECTIVE TISSUE AND
HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO ITS FUNCTIONS.
TO KNOW IT'S IMPORTANCE.
TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN VARIOUS TYPES OF
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
LEARNING HOW ABNORMALITIES OR DISEASES OF
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CAN LEAD TO VARIOUS HEALTH
ISSUES, SUCH AS ARTHRITIS, FIBROSIS, AND CONNECTIVE
TISSUE DISORDERS.
Connective tissue provides
a matrix that supports and
physically connects other
tissues and cells together
to form the organs of the
body
MESENCHYMAL
CELLS
a tissue developing mainly
from the, middle layer of
the embryo, the
mesoderm. Mesenchyme
consists largely of viscous
ground substance with
few collagen fibers
FIBROBLAST MACROPHAGES
the most common cells in have highly developed
connective tissue proper, phagocytic ability and
produce and maintain specialize in turnover of
most of the tissue’s protein fibers and removal of
extracellular components. apoptotic cells, tissue debris,
or other particulate material,
being especially abundant at
sites of inflammation.
 MAST CELLS PLASMA CELLS LEUKOCYTES (RBC)
are oval or irregularly are lymphocyte-derived,
Derived from
shaped cells of antibody-producing cells.
circulating blood
connective tissue, cells, they leave
between 7 and 20 μm blood by migrating
in diameter, filled with between the
basophilic secretory
endothelial cells of
granules that often
ADIPOCYTES venules to enter
obscure the central or fat cells, are found connective tissue.
nucleus in the connective
tissue of many organs
thread-like structures that make up various tissues and
provide structural support.

1. COLLAGEN
2. ELASTIC
3. RETICULAR
Collagen is a fundamental component present in
all connective tissues .The collagens constitute a
family of proteins selected during evolution for
their ability to form various extracellular fibers,
sheets, and networks, all of which are extremely
strong and resistant to normal shearing and
tearing forces.
 Collagen Types
1. Fibril-Forming Collagens
2. Network-Forming Collagens
3. Linking/Anchoring Collagens
 Collagen Types
1. Fibril-Forming Collagens
These collagen fibers are
frequently found in high density
within connective tissues, and
they play a key structural role in
various structures like tendons,
organ capsules, and the dermis.
 Collagen Types
2. Network-Forming Collagens
These collagens serve as
essential structural proteins in
external laminae and all
epithelial basal laminae.
 Collagen Types
3. Linking/Anchoring Collagens
These collagens are short
collagens with the role of
connecting fibrillar collagens to
each other, leading to the
formation of larger fibers, and
linking them to other components
within the extracellular matrix
(ECM).
1. Collagen synthesis occurs in various cell types, but
fibroblasts specialize in this process.
2. Different combinations of procollagen α chains
produce the various types of collagen with different
structures and functional properties.
1. Synthesis
2. Hydroxylation
3. Glycosylation
4. Exocytosis
5. Proteolytic processing
6. Cross-linking
1. Synthesis
Procollagen α-chains are
synthesized on ribosomes
in the endoplasmic
reticulum (RER) and
translocated into the
cisternae.
2. Hydroxylation
Enzymes in the ER cisternae
add hydroxyl (-OH) groups to
specific prolines and lysines.

This process requires oxygen,

iron, and ascorbic acid as
cofactors.
3. Glycosylation
In various collagen types,
some hydroxylysine residues
undergo glycosylation to
different degrees.
4. Exocytosis
Outside the cell, specific
proteases known as
procollagen peptidases
remove the terminal globular
peptides from procollagen
molecules, converting them
into collagen molecules
5. Proteolytic Processing
Certain proteoglycans and
other collagen types (e.g.,
types V and XII) associate
with the new collagen fibrils.
6. Cross-linking
To reinforce the fibrillar
structure and prevent
disassembly, covalent cross-
links are formed between
collagen molecules
 Mnemonic
Synthia Synthesis
Hid Hydroxylation
Glick’s Glycosylation
Expensive Exocytosis
PC Proteolytic processing
Cross the Street Cross-linking
Consists mainly of collagen type III
Seldom visible in H&E preparations
Argyrophilic (Gr. argyro = silver)
Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive
Contains up to 10% carbohydrate as opposed to
1% in most other collagen fibers
Produced by fibroblasts occur in the reticular lamina
(adipocytes, smooth muscle and nerve fibers, small blood vessels)
Abundant reticular fibers
Stroma (hemapoietic tissue,
the spleen, lymph nodes)
- proliferating cells
- phagocytes cells
Delicate reticular fibers
Supportive stroma
(parenchymal secretory cells)
Rich microvasculature
(liver and endocrine glands)
Elastic Cartilage
 Elastic
Description:
Similar to hyaline cartilage, but

Cartilage more elastic fibers in matrix

Function:
Maintains the shape of a structure
while allowing great flexibility

Location:
Supports the external ear (pinna)
external auditory meatus,
auditory tube; epiglottis
Elastic Cartilage

Ear
External/Pinna
External Auditory
Meatus
Eustachian Tube
Elastic Cartilage
Ear
External/Pinna
External Auditory Meatus
Eustachian Tube
Elastic Cartilage
Larynx
Epiglottis
Elastic Cartilage
Larynx
Epiglottis
GROUND
GROUND
Highly hydrated and transparent
component of the Extracellular
Matrix (ECM).
Appears as electron-dense
filaments or granules in TEM
preparations.
GROUND FUNCTIONS
Fills the space between cells and fibers
in connective tissue
Allows diffusion of small molecules
Lubricant and a barrier against invaders
Influences cellular activities
COMPOSITIONS:
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
Proteoglycans
Multiadhesive glycoproteins.
 GAGS

A.K.A mucopolysaccharides
Long polymers of repeating
disaccharide units.

Usually
hexosamine (glucosamine or
galactosamine)
uronic acid (glucuronate or
iduronate).
 GAGS
A.K.A hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate
The largest and most common GAG,
Molecular weight: Ranging from
100s to 1000s of kDa.
Synthesized directly into the ECM
by hyaluronan synthase, located in
cell membranes.
Function:
Forms a viscous, pericellular
network that binds a significant
amount of water
 GAGS
Much smaller (5-40 kDa), sulfated, and bound
to proteins (part of proteoglycans).
Synthesized in Golgi complexes.
Four major GAGs in proteoglycans: dermatan
sulfate, chondroitin sulfates, keratan sulfate,
and heparan sulfate.

Have different disaccharide units modified

with carboxyl and sulfate groups.
Carry a high negative charge, causing them to
adopt an extended conformation.
Have space-filling, cushioning, and lubricating
functions in various tissues.
Proteoglycans
 Proteoglycans
Consists of a core protein to which are covalently attached
various numbers and combinations of sulfated GAGs
Synthesized on RER
Matures in the Golgi Apparatus
Has attached GAGs
Distinguished by Diversity
3 types of Proteoglycans:
Perlecan
Aggrecan
Decorin
 3 types of Proteoglycans:
Perlecan
The key
Proteogylcans in all
basal laminae
 3 types of Proteoglycans:

Aggrecan
One of the best studied
proteoglycans, It is very large
having a 250 kDa core
protein heavily bounded with
chondroitin keratan sulfate
chains
 3 types of Proteoglycans:
Decorin
Has very few GAG side
chains that bind the surface
type I collagen fibrils and
syndecan with an integral
membrane core protein
providing an additional
attachment of ECM to cell
membranes
Embyronic Mesenchyme
Is very rich in Hyaluronan and water,
producing the characteristic wide spacing of
cells and a matrix ideal for cells migration
and growth.
 Degradation of proteoglycans is carried out by several
cell types and depends in part on the presence of several
lysosomal enzymes.

Several disorders have been described, including a

deficiency in certain lysosomal that degrades specific
GAGs
 Degradation of proteoglycans is carried out by several
cell types and depends in part on the presence of several
lysosomal enzymes.

Several disorders have been described, including a

deficiency in certain lysosomal that degrades specific
GAGs
The lack of specific hydrolases has been found to be the
cause of several disorders including; Hurler, Hunter,
Sanfilippo and Morquio Syndromes.
Because of their high viscosity, hyaluronan and proteoglycans
tend to form a barrier against bacterial penetration of tissues.
Bacteria that produce hyaluronidase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes
hyaluronan and disassembles proteoglycans complexes reduce the
viscosity of the connective tissue ground substance and have greater
invasive power.
MULTIADHESIVE GLYCOPROTEINS
third major class of ground
substance
large macromolecules
adhere to the extracellular matrix
hold various components of tissues to
each other
Major types of Multiadhesive Glycoproteins
LAMININ
FIBRONECTIN
ENTACTIN
TENASCIN
CHONDRONECTIN
OSTEONECTIN
Importance:
Transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells
Removing waste products from cells
Protecting cells
Regulating body temperature
TWO MAIN FORCES ACT ON THE WATER IN CAPILLARIES:

Hydrostatic pressure -This force

is the pressure exerted by the
blood as it's pumped by the heart
and pushed through the capillaries
Osmotic pressure - This force is
created by the presence of solutes
(like proteins) in the blood plasma