EPITHELIA

INTRODUCTION
The outer surface of the body and the luminal surface of the cavities within the body are lined by one or more layers of cells that completely cover them, such layers of cells are called epithelia

 The term epithelium is derived from the greek epi, upon; thele, nipple Upon referred, to covering and nipple referred, the connective tissue papilla

Epithelial and Connective Tissues

Epithelial tissues
Classes Junctions Glands

Classes of Epithelia
Simple: just one layer or cell shape Stratified: multiple layers and cell shapes

Simple Epithelia
Type Squamous Cell shape Squashed Example Endothelium (lines blood vessels), mesothelium (serous lining of celom) Wa lls of glands

Cuboid al

Cubed

Columnar

Columns

Pseudo-stratified

Flat cells give rise to columns

Lining of gut tube; sometimes w ith cilia like lining of uterine tube With cilia in respiratory tubes to move mucous/particles out of lungs

SIMPLE SQUAMOUS Single layer Squamous shape Lining of body cavity, lungs, blood vessels

 That line alveoli of lungs- pleura Peritonium mesothelium Inside lining of heart- endocardium Blood vessels and lymphatics endothelium also line renal tubules and some parts of the ear.

SIMPLE CUBOIDAL Single layer Cuboidal shaped Kidney tubules, glands

EPITHELIAL TISSUE
SIMPLE COLUMNAR Single layer Columnar shape Lining of digestive tract Modified by presence of cilia Straited borders or brush borders is seen in small intestine.

 Columnar epithelium is seen in respiratory tract, uterus and the uterine tubes, auditory tube , part of middle ear ,central canal of spinal cord and ventricles of brain.

EPITHELIAL TISSUE
STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS Multi layer Outer most layer- squamous cells Inner- cuboidal or columnar Lining of mouth, esophagus, skin

EPITHELIAL TISSUE
PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR One layer Appears stratified Respiratory tract

 These cells often vary in height. Because the heights vary, it gives off fake (pseudo) looking layers. Secretes and absorbs along the lungs.

Stratified Squamous
Stratifies Squamous has many different layers. Usually found in places that are more likely to tear It is used for protection

 It can be keratinize epithelium and non keratinized Non keratinized epithelium forms the lining of the mouth Under pathological conditions the epithelium in any of these situations may become keratinized.

Stratified Cuboidal
Very rare in the human body They are sometimes found in ducts and in larger glands such as sweat glands and mammary glands.

Stratified Columnar
Can be found in the lining of glandular ducts, pharynx, and the male urethra. Occurs as transitional areas between other types of epithelia

Transitional Epithelial
` Its basal layer is cuboidal and columnar. ` It is found in the urinary organs and stretches as urine is produced. ` When urine is present it stretches from six layers to about three.

Cell Junctions
Desmosome: binding spots between cells with proteins called cadherins Tight junctions: impermeable
E.g. gut tube, doesnt let enzymes from gut into blood stream

Gap junctions: tubes that let small molecules pass between cells

Occluding junctions
(Tight junction) Controls the passage through intercellular spaces Permeability of tight junctions in some tissues may be regulated by certain neurotransmitters and hormones.

 If this extend around the entire perimeter of cell, called Zonula occludens or Continuous tight junction ex. Intestinal epithelial cells. Complementary protein particle of two opposed cell membrane establish mutual contact & become interlocked across the intercellular gap like teeth of a zipper.

 Fascia occludens: Similar to zonula occludens except that they are strip or band shaped. ex. Endothelial lining of blood vessels (Brain capillaries are exception, here endothelial cells are joined by zonula occludens forming BBB) Seal effect is interrupted. It enables capillary to produce tissue fluid. Also provide escape route to leukocytes.

Adhesive Junctions
Strongly bond contiguous epithelial cells. Are of two types- a) Zonula adherens b) Macula adherens(desmosomes) Zonula adherens: Present b/w intestinal epithelial cells just below occludens Extend around entire perimeter Below it macula adherens are also present

So Zonula adherens is also called as Intermediate junction or Belt desmosome.

Wide intercellular gap (20 nm) is filled with the fine filamentous material of moderately low electron density. It is believed to constitute the strong bond b/w apposed cell membrane.

Apical constriction of its component cells so that their microvilli fan out & provide regions of cell membrane between the bases of their microvilli with free access to luminal content

Macula adherens
Also called Desmosome Circular or spot like in shape Most abundant in epithelial membrane that are adapted to withstand wear & tear Present as a part of junctional complex

 In desmosomes, bundles of tonofilaments are anchored to disc like plaque. These tonofilaments are type of intermediate filaments made of Prekeratin. Plaque is a mass of electron dense material that adheres to cytoplasmic aspect of each opposed area of cell membrane. It is made of protein desmoplakin & plakoglobin. Also an electron dense line is seen extending along midline intercellularly (30 nm wide, filled with Glycoprotein)

Gap junction:
Nexus Spot like in outline, do not form Zonula. Permit direct cell to cell transfer of low molecular wt. nutrients & also ensures widespread dissemination of molecular intracellular signals. Interconnecting passageways are known as Connexons, made of integral membrane protein particle of each opposed cell membrane.

 On each cell membrane, the protein particles appear as rings of six dumbbell shaped subunits that enclose one half of central channel. A slight left hand twist in the way the subunits are arranged, keep the central channel open. When subunits assume more perpendicular orientation, channel closes.

 In physiologic conditions intracellular calcium concentration is well below of extra cellular fluid which maintain these channel open. Cell damage result in massive influx of extra cellular calcium, which causes these channel to close. Also Gap junction permeability decreases as pH increases.

 c-AMP increases Gap junction permeability by creating new junctions & also by adding new connexons to old gap junctions. Gap junctions are commonly present in b/w embryonic cells

Gap junctions also communicate or relay cell recognition signals, positional information or other signals require to direct the normal course of development of embryo.

BASEMENT MEMBRANE
It is a thin layer of specialized intercellular matrix present at interface between connective tissue & various tissues. Name basement membrane because it was first noticed beneath basal surface of epithelium. Under electron microscope , the layer appears much thinner and is then termed the Basal Lamina. All the major products of the basal lamina appears to be synthesized by the epithelial cells.

 In Light microscopy- appear homogenous, PAS positive due to Glycoproteins In Electron microscopy- electron dense layer, seldom more than 100 nm Basement membrane follow the contour of cell surface at a distance of up to 60 nm from cell membrane.

 Functions: a) Bond cell to underlying connective tissue. b) Provide these cells with flexible support, which is particularly evident in lens capsule. c) Permeable to low molecular weight substances & impede passage of macromolecules. d) May act as a substance capable of directing cell growth & migration during morphogenesis & regeneration & repair.

 Structure of BM: Now it clear that electron dense layer seen under EM represents only a part of BM. This electron dense layer, formerly known as basal lamina now called Lamina densa, varies in thickness from 20 to 300 nm depending on location.

 On cellular side, it is called as lamina rara externa or lamina lucida. Other side which lie in intimate association of reticular fibers of underlying connective tissue is called lamina rara interna or lamina fibroreticularis. Lamina densa contains very fine meshwork of type IV collagen . This type IV collagen along with constituent glycoproteins are produced by cells that BM .

 The nature of lamina lucida is less firmly established. This region is traversed by delicate cords that extend from lamina densa to cell membrane. These cords are similar to anastomosing cords that make up lamina densa except that they are loosely arranged. In both, these cords possess an axial core filament of type IV collagen, encased by sheath containing adhesive glycoprotein, Laminin.

 Immunocytochemical studies have confirmed that laminin is an universal, major constituent of BM. Laminin is crucifix shaped glycoprotein molecule which bind to type IV collagen & also to receptor on cell membrane so laminin attaches cell to basement membrane Fibronectin is another glycoprotein with V shaped molecule. It has collagen binding domains on both arms.

 Fibronectin binds to collagen, proteoglycans, heparin & other GAGs & to cell membrane receptors. So it has dual role attaching the basement membrane to its underlining matrix of reticular fibers and act in conjugation with laminin to promote cellular adhesion to basement membrane. In addition to it basement membrane contain Entactin which is a sulfated glycoprotein and also Heparan sulphate proteoglycan.

REFERENCES

Hams Histology 9th edition David H. Cormack Textbook of histology- 4th edition ; Inderbir Singh

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