Epithelial Tissues

4 basic types of tissues – all contains extracellular matrix (ECM)

1. Epithelial – Aggregated polyhedral Cells

2. Connective – abundant of ECM
3. Muscular – elongated, specialized for contraction and movement
4. Nervous – long fine processes, function to receive, generate, and transmit nerve impulses. So
that when there is a stimulus we know how and what to react.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM) – helps bind together and regulate several cellular functions. Regulates
adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation function.

Cellular functions (google)

1. Adhesion – determines the polarity and the physiological function of cells within tissues.
2. Migration – central to homeostatic process.
3. Proliferation – process by which a cell grows and divides to produce two daughter cells.
4. Differentiation – process by which dividing cells change their function or phenotypical type.

Tissue Terminologies

 PARENCHYMA – cells responsible for the organ’s specialized function.

 STROMA – cells that serves as support except the brain and spinal cord (connective). ♥

EPITHELIUM

Principal Functions of Epithelium

 Covering, lining, protection ex. epidermis

 Absorption ex. intestinal lining
 Secretion parenchymal cells of glands
 Contractility MYOEPITHELIAL CELLS/ SPECIALIZED SENSORY CELLS)
Characteristics of Epithelium

CELL SHAPE NUCLEUS SHAPE

Columnar Elongated
Cuboidal Spherical
Squamous Flat tened
-the number and shape of their stained nuclei are important indicators of cell shape and density
-nuclei also allow one to determine the number of cell layers in an epithelium

Most epithelia adjacent to a connective tissue with a blood vessel rely for nutrients. (Tissue needs
nutrients to function.)
LAMINA PROPIA: The connective tissue that underlies the epithelia lining the organs of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems
PAPILLAE: area of contact between the two tissues may be increased by small evaginations

Basement Membrane

-
- Entire structure beneath the epithelial cells.
- Acts as barriers or gate and scaffolds during the
development and regulates many cellular activities such as
growth, differentiation, and migration.
- Thin extracellular felt-like sheet of macromolecule that
serves as a semipermeable filter.
- Contains Glycoprotein (sustainable)

Basal Lamina

- Fine extracellular layer seen ultra-structurally Nearest the epithelial cells, a thin,
electron-dense, sheet-like layer of fine fibrils
Types:

1. Type IV Collagen – (monomers) like a mesh of a

window screen.
2. Laminin – (large glycoproteins) projects to the
mesh formed by the Type IV collagen. Main
foundation of your Basal Lamina. ♥Attach to transmembrane Integrin
proteins
3. Nidogen and Perlecan – bridge, cross links
laminin to the Type IV collagen binding the proteins.

RETICULAR LAMINA: more diffuse and fibrous, Beneath basal lamina

Basement Membrane and Basal lamina are used interchangeably but there is a difference:

 Basement membrane – acts as barrier during tissue development, the entire structure beneath
the epithelial tissue.
 Basal Lamina – can be seen (external laminae)

BASAL POLE: region of the cell contacting the ECM and connective tissue
APICAL POLE: opposite end

Regions of cuboidal or columnar cells that adjoin neighboring cells comprise the cells’ LATERAL SURFACES
Intercellular Adhesion and Other Junctions (Types)

 Tight or Occluding Junctions – forms a seal between adjacent cells.

 Adherent/Anchoring Junctions – are sites of strong cell adhesion.
 Gap Junctions – are channels for communication between adjacent cells.

Tissue Terminologies

 Zonula (Latin zōnula “small belt or girdle”)– junctions form a band completely encircling each
cell.
 Junctions – a type of structure that exists within the tissues of animals. Cell Junctions consist of
multiprotein complexes that provide contact between neighboring cells or between a cell and
the extracellular matrix.

Tight or Occluding Junctions (zonulae occludens) Key transmembrane proteins: Claudin and Occludin

 Tight because of the transmembrane proteins Claudin and Occludin found in the Tight or
occluding junction. Its tightness restricts the passage of water, electrolytes, and other small
molecules.

Claudin and Occludin – transmembrane protein that contribute a tight interaction of proteins to the
neighboring tissue. These proteins interact with each other to produce a tight silk.

In the cytoplasm of the cell, the occludin interacts with the actin cytoskeleton via protein called ZO-1

ZO-1 – is a peripheral membrane phosphoprotein with a molecular mass of 220 kDa (Stevenson et al.,
1986), which is expressed in all epithelial and endothelial cells as well as in cell types lacking tight
junctions (Howarth et al., 1992).

For instance, the disruption of proteins can be caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) which is known
to cause peptic ulcer.

How? H. pylori inserts a protein into the cell that targets the ZO-1 protein which disrupts the
signal link from the junction. Thus, allowing other molecules to pass through. Therefore, the lining of is
stomach is damaged which causes the peptic ulcer.

Adherent/Anchoring Junctions (zonula adherens) Key transmembrane glycoproteins: Cadherins l

Desmosomes and Hemidesmosomes

 Cadherins (like a zipper) – a transmembrane glycoprotein mediates the adhesion in the

presence of calcium. It binds to Catenin which is linked to Actin filaments with actin-binding
proteins forming a terminal web. Interacts to two adjacent cells and zips them together.

(+ = binds, ~ = linked)
CADHERIN + CATENIN ~ ACTIN = TERMINAL WEB
 Terminal Web – a cytoskeletal feature at the apical pole in many epithelial cells.

 Desmosomes (Greek desmos, binding and soma, body) – Also known as mascula adherens
(Latin mascula, spot) or Spot desmosomes. Are disc-shaped structures. Binding bodies.

Desmosomes contains large members of the cadherin family called desmogleins and
desmocollins. Then it binds to plakoglobins which links together to larger proteins called
desmoplakins. Then the desmoplakins bind to intermediate filament proteins rather than
actins.

(+ = binds, ~ = linked)

DESMOSOMES (desmogleins and desmocollins) + PLAKOGLOBINS ~ DESMOPLAKINS +

INTERMEDIATE FILAMENT PROTEINS

Tonofilaments – cable-like filaments of cytokeratin where epithelial desmosomes attached.

These intermediate filaments are very strong, and desmosomes provide firm cellular adhesion
and strength throughout the epithelium.

 Hemidesmosomes (Greek hemi, half + desmos + soma) – are attached to the basal lamina.
Contains transmembrane protein called integrins. bind the basal surface of the epithelial cell to the basal lamina
bind primarily to laminin molecules in the basal lamina.

Gap Junctions

 Functions as communication between cells. Gap junctions contain the protein connexon which is formed by
connexins
 It contains connexons.
 It is a transmembrane protein that is hexameric.
 It is formed by connexins.
 It has a central hydrophilic pore of 1.5 nm in diameter. It is big enough to allow small molecules
such as inorganic ions to pass across the cell.

FOCAL ADHESION( focal contact): basal anchoring junction found in cells that are moving during epithelial repair or reorganization
smaller, more numerous and consist of integrins linked indirectly to bundled actin filaments, not intermediate filaments
Integrins of focal adhesions are also linked via PAXILLIN to FOCAL ADHESION KINASE, a signaling protein which upon integrin
binding to laminin or other specific ECM proteins initiates a cascade of intracellular protein phosphorylation affecting cell adhesion,
Specializations of Apical Cell Surface

 Microvilli
 Cilia
 Stereocilia

Cilia vs. Microvilli

Apical Occurs in Functions Motility Structure Glycocalyx Shape /

Structure (movement) Layer Number
Cilia Respiratory Movement Motile Axonemes (9 Without Tapered
tract, + 2 assembly distally, few
uterine of
tubes microtubules)

Microvilli Small Absorption Nonmotile 1 um long With Extremely

intestine, (increase 0.1 um wide (important thin,
kidneys surface for protein numerous
area, and enzyme
uniform length
increase in for
absorption digestion)
20 or 30
fold)

♥ Brush or striated border microvilli – densely packed microvilli. eg. lining the small intestine,

GLYCOCALYX: thick covering of microvilli of the intestinal brush border includes membrane-bound proteins and enzymes for
digestion of certain macromolecules

Stereocilia

 Found in male reproductive organ

 Much longer, less motile
-increase the cells’ surface area, facilitating absorption
-motion-detecting function
-resemble microvilli in containing arrays of microfilaments and actin-binding proteins
-may show branching distally.
Microvilli
Cilia

Stereocilia
Types of Epithelia

 Covering/Lining
 Secretory

Covering/Lining Epithelia

♥ (Take note of the organs where each epithelium are located)

 Simple Squamous Epithelium – one flat layer, tile like set

Simple = 1 layer Squamous = flat nucleus

Function: for
diffusion and
filtration
♥ Location:
between the linings
of the blood
vessels, the lungs,
heart, and kidneys
 Simple Cuboidal Epithelium – one-layer  Simple Columnar Epithelium – one-
square shaped cell layer narrow cell
Simple = 1 layer Cuboidal = spherical nucleus
Simple = 1 layer Columnar = elongated
Function: for secretion nucleus
♥Location: glands, ovaries, and kidneys Function: for secretion mucus and
absorption

♥Location: stomach, intestine. And

respiratory tract

 Stratified Epithelium – at the free edge the cells are squamous, whereas those close to the
basement membrane are cuboidal or columnar.

 Stratified Squamous Epithelium – Function: receives friction ♥Location: skin, esophagus,

and mouth
 Transitional Epithelium – if the organ is not stretched, the
membrane is many layered. The superficial cells are rounded and
dome-like. If the organ is stretched, the epithelium fills like a rubber
being stretched and the surface cells flatten and become squamous
like.

♥
Stretched = squamous
Not Stretched = cuboidal

♥ Location: bladder, uterus, and renal calyces

  Pseudostratified Epithelium – 1 layer of tall or narrow
cell. It appears stratified but it’s not. This is because some of
its cells are shorter than the others (not same in length). Its
nucleus can be seen in different heights above the basement
membrane.

Function: Secretes mucus and propel debris out of our

respiratory tract because of the cilia.
♥Location: nasal cavity and trachea

Goblet cells – produces mucus.

Mucus – acts as a sticky trap. It catches the dust and other
debris.
Cilia – propels the trapped debris upwards out of the
respiratory tract.

Secretory Epithelia and Glands

 Glands – are specialized organs that contains epithelial cells that functions to secrete and
produce various molecules. Developed from covering epithelia in the fetus by cell production
and growth.

Function of Secretory Cells (specifically in mammary glands) – Synthesize (protein, lipids, and
carbohydrates), Store, and Release Macromolecules (could be Serous/Mucous)
Two Types of Glands ♥Exocrine examples: Sweat or oil glands

 Exocrine – with Endocrine examples: Thyroid, thymus pituitary glands

ducts
 Endocrine – no
ducts
Secretory Cells

 Serous – nonglycosylated products

 Mucous – glycosylated products

  Myoepithelial cells – found in most exocrine glands.
(Endocrine glands do not have Myoepithelial cells).

♥ Function: can contract and expel the secretion of

exocrine glands.

Types of Secretion

 Merocrine – most common (typical exocytosis). Secretes watery fluid which is hypotonic (lower
concentration) to plasma (e.g., sweat glands). Lined by cuboidal epithelium. When
myoepithelial cells contract, many sweat is produced.

Example: During a hot weather while exercising, there is a need for compensation.
Because it is hot the body will secrete sweat. Its evaporation is important to thermo
regulation. Sweat releases water, sodium, and other electrolytes.

 Holocrine – cells accumulate products continuously as they enlarge and undergo terminal
differentiation releasing cell debris to the lumen (e.g., Sebaceous Gland – branched acinar,
makes oily substances (sebum))

During puberty, our androgen is increasing which also increases our sebaceous gland. If
our sebaceous gland is blocked, the sebum will be forced to go to the dermis which
elicits an inflammatory response which causes acne.

 Apocrine – products are accumulated at the apical ends of the cell which they are then extruded
to release with small amounts of cytoplasm and cell membrane (e.g., Mammary glands). Can be
seen in the axillae, breast, pubic, and perineal region (between the thighs). It is similar with the
holocrine glands, but the apocrine glands open out to the upper region of your hair follicles. It
starts to smell when bacteria or other organisms interact with it.
Renewal of Epithelial Cells

 Relatively labile and continuously renewed, varies differently depending on the organ (e.g.,
intestinal epithelium is replaced every week)

Intestine is the most highly regenerative organ in the human body. Regenerates the
epithelium every 5-7 days. Continuous cell renewal allows the epithelium to withstand
the constant wear and tear it suffers while breaking down the food, absorbing the
nutrients, and eliminating the wastes.

♥ Read pathologic significance or clinical significance of our junctions (in the book’s table). READ
CHAPTER 4.

Quiz: chapter 2,3,4 and microscopy

On the first meeting next week