LECTURE 4

CONNECTIVE TISSUE Ali Hussein

Soft connective tissue consists of extracellular matrix, which is a mixture of ground substance, and
fibres, scattered amongst cells.

Cells in connective tissue include:

Permanent Cells
FIBROBLASTS
ADIPOSE TISSUE is the larges store of energy in
the body and is sensitive to both hormonal and nervous
stimuli. There are two types of adipose tissue:
UNILOCULAR adipose tissue
develops from mesenchyme lipoblasts
and contains small fat vacuoles maturing
into an adipoctye, which stores fat.
Unilocular adipose tissue has a rich
capillary network and is innervated by
the ANS. Release of noradrenaline
stimulates the release of stored fat into
the blood.
MULTILOCULAR Adipose Tissue,
also known as Brown Fat, is more
common in new-borns and produces heat
when metabolised. It therefore contains large quantities
of mitochondria.
Transient Cells
MACROPHAGES are derived from monocytes that circulate in the blood before migration into the
connection tissue where they mature. Macrophages are 10-30 μm in diameter. Their functions include:
• Ingestion of particles and their digestion by lysosomes.
• Secretion of an array of substances
 • Participation in the immune system.
• Cell mediated resistance to bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances.
MAST CELLS are the largest cells in connective tissue and have basophilic granules that contain
heparin, and histamine. Mast cells are sensitive to foreign proteins and rapidly release their contents.
It is these cells that react in hay fever and asthma.
PLASMA CELLS are rare in connective tissue but at the site of an infection, they are found in
numerous quantities. They are large oval cells that have a basophilic cytoplasm rich in RER that is used
for the synthesis of antibodies that neutralised harmful antigens and toxins.
LEUKOCYTES migrate from the blood and include
• Netrophils that respond to infection
• Oesinophils that are found in increase number during allergic reactions
• Basophils that are the source of histamine.
Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix is a colourless, homogenous, gel-like mixture of glycoproteins and
Proteoglycans that bind cells to the fibres of connective tissue. It also acts as a lubricant and as a barrier
to penetration of the tissue by foreign particles.
The matrix has two components:
PROTEOGLYCANS are a network, which enmeshes collage fibres together. They belong to the
glycoprotein family and are rich carbohydrates, especial Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Due to the
presence of GAGs, Proteoglycans are intensely hydrophilic and are therefore intensely hydrated
structures with a thick later of solvation water surrounding tem. Proteoglycans are composed of a protein
associated with 4 GAGs. Proteoglycans vary greatly in size.
STRUCTURAL GLYCOPROTEINS include:
• Fibronectin, which is synthesised by fibroblasts and plays a part in control of collagen deposition
by binding with the collage and GAG, thus establishing structural continuity between the
cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix.
• Laminin, which is found in the basal lamina and is responsible for the adhesion of epithelial cells
to underlying connective tissue.
• Chondronectin, which is found in cartilage, and is responsible for adhesion of chondrocytes to
type II collagen.
Fibres
COLLAGEN FIBRES are the most abundant protein and are synthesised in fibroblasts. Collagen is
formed from three polypeptide changes forming a molecule that is 300nm long with a 67nm overlap.
When en mass, collage appears white and is arranged in parallel arrays forming bundles in most parts of
the body. Collagen is inelastic and has a tensile strength greater than steel.
There are five types of collagen:
• Type I, which has widespread distribution
• Type II, which is found in the Hyaline and Elastic Cartilage
• Type II, which is found in the reticular fibres
• Type IV, which is found in the Basal Lamina
• Type V, which is found in foetal membranes
RETICULAR FIBRES are 0.5-2nm in diameter and give a flexible framework to organs that are
subjected to changes in shape and volume.

ELASTIN is a hydrophobic protein produced by fibroblasts, which assembles into filaments and sheets
by cross-linking. It forms elastic fibres when microfibres from structural glycoprotein Fibrillin becomes
incorporated in it.
Soft Connective Tissue
There are three types of soft connective tissue:
The BASEMENT MEMBRANE, also known as the Basal Lamina, is a selective barrier to the passage
of materials between the epithelia and the underlying supporting connective tissue. It is also involved in
epithelial growth control forming an impenetrable barrier to downward epithelial growth.
It consists of GAGS, Glycoproteins and Collagen Type IV.

LOOSE AEROLAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE contains abundant elastic fibres and collage bundles
embedded in the ground substance. It fills spaces between fibres and muscle sheaths, supports epithelial
tissue and ensheaths lymph and blood vessels.

DENSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE can be sub-classified into:

• Dense Irregular connective tissue, which is found on the dermis of the skin and submucosa. It
contains coarse, thick and intertwined bundles of collagen fibres arranged in an irregular form.
The fibroblasts are sparse, separated by collagen bundles. Mast cells, macrophages and blood
vessels are also present.
• Dense Regular Connective Tissue, which is found in tendons and ligaments, and consists of
regularly orientated parallel bundles of collagen fibres separated by linear rows of fibrocytes,
which appear as thin dark lines.

Cartilage
Cartilage is a specialised form of connective tissue whose
extracellular matrix has a firm consistency. The matrix endows
cartilage with its resilience allowing the tissue to beat mechanical
stress and act as a shock absorber.
Cartilage formation begins with the differentiation of primitive
stellate mesenchymal cells into rounded cartilage precursor cells,
chondroblasts. These then mature into chondrocytes and
maintain the integrity of the matrix.
Variations in composition of matrix components give rise to three
types of cartilage:
HYALINE CARTILAGE, the most common type of cartilage, is
an avascular connective tissue consisting of chondrocytes
surrounded by type II collage and Proteoglycans. It is surrounded
by a perichondrium and occurs in the skeleton of the embryo and
child.
ELASTIC CARTILAGE is also avascular, surrounded by a
perichondrium, consists of chondrocytes surrounded by type II
collagen, but also contains Elastic Fibres instead of
Proteoglycans. It occurs in the epiglottis, auditory tube and
external ear.
FIBROCARTILAGE is also avascular, but lacks a
perichondrium. It consists of chondrocytes and fibroblasts
surrounded by type I collagen. It predominates in the
interarticular disks of the knee.