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PubMed1989

[Three-dimensional architecture of the connective tissue papillae of the mouse tongue as viewed by scanning electron microscopy].

The morphological relationship between lingual papillae and underlying connective tissue papillae of mouse was studied because it is conceivable that the differentiation of epithelium may be affected by its connective tissue. Tongues of adult male mice were fixed in formol or Karnovsky's fixative. After removal of the epithelium by long-term hydrochloric acid treatment at room temperature, the surface of the connective tissue papillae was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Connective tissue papillae that were fungiform in shape and which were distributed at the anterior part of the tongue showed barnacle-like protrusion after removal of the epithelium. Their surface was covered by numerous long filaments running vertically and there was a round depression on the top of each fungiform papilla that may be found to correspond to a taste bud when the results of light and electron microscopy are compared. Filiform papillae in a narrow sense were closely distributed in the anterior part of the tongue. They had a tapered tip declining posteriorly. Each filiform connective tissue papilla was conical in shape and had a round depression that slightly declined antero-downward, and a long narrow depression ran along the anterior edge of each connective tissue papilla. Large conical papillae which distributed at the anterior margin of the intermolar prominence had shovel-like connective tissue papillae which had a depression at the posterior surface unlike that of the filiform papillae. Branched papillae distributed in the posterior part of the prominence had a depression at the anterior surface. Under the light microscope, numerous keratohyaline granules were seen to be contained only in the posterior epithelial cell line of the large conical papillae distributed in the anterior margin of the prominence, while these granules were found only in the anterior epithelial cell line of both filiform and branched papillae. It became clear that the axes of each connective tissue papilla of large conical papillae distributed radically around a single midpoint. Connective tissue papillae of vallate papillae had a beehive-like shape and in follicate papillae there were several vertical elliptical gaps, seen when the epithelium was peeled from the connective tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Vasculitis in the connective tissue diseases.

Vasculitides in the setting of connective tissue diseases are generally thought to be infrequent and relatively little is written about them. They are, however, important both because they may pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and affect prognosis. In each of the connective tissue diseases, vasculitis can present in various clinical and pathologic forms adding to their diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. This article reviews recent information on the frequency, characteristics, and possible pathogenic mechanisms of the vasculitides occurring in patients with the main connective tissue diseases.

Comorbidity↗

PubMed1985

EDTA separation and recombination of epithelium and connective tissue of human oral mucosa. Studies of tissue transplants in nude mice.

A possible epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in determining epithelial histologic features of human oral mucosa was examined. The study comprised 74 biopsies of normal buccal mucosa and 54 biopsies of normal palatal mucosa. Epithelium was separated from connective tissue by the use of 1 mM ethylenediamine tetraacetate dihydrate. Self-recombined and cross-recombined epithelial and connective tissues and connective tissue sheets alone were transplanted to subcutaneous sites of nude mice. Histologic examination of cross-recombined palatal epithelium/buccal connective tissue transplants showed a change in keratinization pattern but no major change in number of epithelial cell layers as the result of connective tissue influence. Transplanted sheets of connective tissue after growth for 14 days showed that complete separation of biopsies from buccal mucosa had been obtained. However, palatal mucosa had been incompletely separated as evidenced by re-epithelialization of most of the connective tissue transplants. The consequences of the incomplete palatal epithelium-connective tissue separation are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Connective tissue reactions to 3% tetracycline ointment in rat skin.

The connective tissue reactions to 3% tetracycline ointment were studied in 14 Sprague-Dawley white male rats. Using polyethylene tubes, the ointment was implanted subcutaneously in the pouches surgically created on the backs of the experimental group. Empty tube implants, tubes with the vehicle (vaseline/lanolin), and a sham operation (surgical pouches with no implant) served as controls. The animals were killed on day 14 and tissue blocks were taken containing the tubes and a generous amount of the peripheral connective tissue. The connective tissue surrounding the tube opening furthest from the surgical incision was histologically examined for the severity of tissue reaction (STR), the number of inflammatory cell infiltrates (II), and the spread of the reaction area (RSI). The data were statistically analyzed. The sham operation group showed minimal inflammatory response. All three parameters (STR, II, RSI) were significantly greater in the tetracycline group when compared with the empty tube group at 0.05 level of significance. There were significant differences between the mean values of the STR and RSI scores in the tetracycline and vehicle groups (groups 1 and 2). The vehicle group (group 2) had significantly higher STR and II values than the empty tube group (group 3); however, the RSI scores were not statistically different. Necrosis was observed in the reaction site in group 1 and vacuole-containing macrophages were noted in groups 1 and 2. This study, although an animal investigation, questions the use of topical 3% tetracycline ointment on sutured surgical flaps.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Raynaud's phenomenon together with antinuclear antibodies: a common subset of incomplete connective tissue disease.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of incomplete connective tissue disease (ICTD) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in patients without definite connective tissue disease. METHODS: A series of 165 consecutive patients with RP was investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients had primary RP; 60 had secondary RP; 54 patients were classified as having ICTD, 35 of whom had ANA and 19 of whom did not. Of the 35 patients who had ICTD with ANA, 29 were women and six were men. Their clinical findings were as follows: 17 had nonerosive arthritis, 14 had a nailfold capillary scleroderma pattern, 12 had puffy fingers, 10 had anticentromere antibodies, nine had sicca syndrome, seven had pernio, seven had esophagitis, six had fingertip ulceration, five had telangiectasia, four had malar eruption, four had myalgia, four had weight loss, four had exertional dyspnea, and three had photo-sensitivity. No patient exhibited life-threatening visceral complications or antitopoisomerase antibodies. CONCLUSION: In this series ICTD was more frequent than definite connective tissue disease. Many patients with RP have ICTD that is sometimes chronic.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

PubMed1985

Selective association of an endogenous lectin with connective tissues.

Using indirect immunofluorescence we have localized an endogenous beta-galactoside-specific lectin in resin-embedded rabbit tissue sections. The pattern of lectin distribution correlates well with biochemical estimations of lectin levels, being abundant in intestine, lung and heart tissue and relatively less abundant in skeletal muscle, liver and kidney. In all tissues lectin is found in connective tissue associated with fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix, and at the periphery of morphologically recognizable smooth muscle cells. The lectin is abundant in skin, intestine and blood vessels, where connective tissue forms the tissue architecture. It is also abundant in heart, where it is particularly associated with the capillaries and lung, where it is also found in alveolar cells. Discrete localization of lectin occurs in areas of connective tissue where epithelial elements are differentiating, such as the crypts of Lieberkuhns in the small intestine and hair follicles in the skin. From these observations we suggest that in cells of mesenchymal origin these endogenous lectins may play a role in the elaboration or organization of the extracellular matrix that regulates tissue differentiation in a number of embryonic and adult tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Autonomous informational stability in connective tissues.

No coherent theories currently explain connective tissue stability (i.e. 'memory') as well as spatial and temporal adaptability in the face of continual flux of its constituents. Furthermore, explanations of stability based exclusively upon DNA raise certain inherent problems, particularly with the spatial concordance of somatic tissues. As an alternative explanation, it is hypothesized that while connective tissue cells produce extracellular protein precursors through DNA-dependent processes, the assembly, location, orientation and configuration of the extracellular macromolecules as well as their degree of cell attachment depend primarily upon local micro-environmental conditions and/or self-organization rather than strictly cellular processes. The resulting extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a time- and spatially-variable filter about each cell to afford a relatively consistent micro-environment for all similar cells, regardless of the more variable macro-environment. By insuring a consistent set of signals to the cell, the filter provides a non-genetic memory complementary to genetic memory. The half-lives of constituent molecules define the duration of the filter, allowing the filter to adapt to new environmental demands, yet to maintain a consistent milieu for the cell. The cell/matrix construct permits local, self-optimizing, non-deterministic tissue autonomy obviating the need to postulate certain intricate mechanisms coordinating spatial morphology and temporal behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A clinical/statistical comparison between the subpedicle connective tissue graft method and the guided tissue regeneration technique in root coverage.

Subepithelial connective tissue grafts and guided tissue regeneration have been shown to be effective means to obtain root coverage. The purpose of this study is to compare statistically the results obtained with these techniques 1 year after the surgical procedures were performed. Thirty-six gingival recessions belonging to Class I and Class II of the Miller classification were treated: 18 cases with subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) and 18 cases with guided tissue regeneration (GTR). Each patient was randomly assigned to a group. At baseline, the group treated with subepithelial connective tissue grafts presented a mean recession of 4.88 mm, whereas the group treated with guided tissue regeneration presented a mean recession of 5.88 mm (P = .082). After 1 year, the mean root coverage was 77.08% in the SCTG group and 80.88% in the GTR group. The difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). The mean root coverage was 3.83 mm for the SCTG group and 4.61 mm for the GTR group. The mean gain in probing attachment level was 3.05 mm for the SCTG group and 5.55 mm for the GTR group. The difference was statistically significant (P = .01). In conclusion, the mean root coverage obtained was similar for the two groups, whereas the clinical attachment gain was greater in the GTR group. Therefore, it appears that the GTR technique is preferable when severe mucogingival defects are present and gain of clinical attachment level is mandatory.

Connective Tissue↗

PubMed1980

Healing following implantation of periodontitis-affected roots into gingival connective tissue.

The aim of the present investigation was to examine if a new connective tissue attachment can be established on a previously periodontitis involved root surface, located in contract with gingival connective tissue during healing. A total of 28 teeth in one dog (beagle) and two monkeys (Macaca cynomolgus) were subjected to experimental periodontal tissue breakdown by placing cotton floss ligatures or orthodontic elastics around the teeth. The ligatures were left in situ until about 50% of the supporting tissues had been lost. Following resection of the crowns, the teeth were root filled and the exposed parts of the roots thoroughly scaled and planed. Each root was extracted and implanted into grooves prepared in edentulous areas of the jaws in such a way that the root was embedded to half its circumference in bone, leaving the remaining part to be covered by the gingival connective tissue of the repositioned flap of the recipient site. Root implantation and sacrifice of the animals were scheduled to allow for observation periods of 2 and 3 months of healing. An analysis of histologic specimens, obtained from biopsies of the recipient site tissues, disclosed that a new fibrous attachment failed to form on a previously "exposed" root surface located in contact with gingival connective tissue. In areas of the roots where the periodontal ligament tissue was preserved prior to transplantation, a fibrous reattachment occurred between the root and the adjacent gingival tissue. The results indicate that gingival connective tissue does not possess the ability to establish conditions which enable the formation of a new connective tissue attachment.

Alveolar Process↗

PubMed2002

Histopathological approach to patterns of interstitial pneumonia in patient with connective tissue disorders.

It is well established that some patients with connective tissue disorders will suffer from pulmonary disease at some stage in their disease progression. This article concentrates on the interstitial pneumonias, seen in association with most types of connective tissue disorder, particularly in the ligh of non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) being recognised as a distinct histological pattern. Most published articles on this subject precede recognition of NSIP and, as such, the relative incidence of patterns of interstitial pneumonia, as defined by the International Consensus Classification Committee for Interstitial Lung Disease (ICCILD), as well as the clinical and prognostic significance of these patterns is undergoing further scrutiny. In this review, the recognised histological patterns, namely usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), organising pneumonia (OP), reactive pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) and respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RBILD) are reviewed systematically in relation to the various subgroups of connective tissue disorders. As yet, there are few published studies, but current evidence suggests that many cases previously classified as fibrosing alveolitis are likely to show a pattern of NSIP rather than UIP, particularly in relation to systemic sclerosis. The histological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia, the most frequently seen pattern in biopsies from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, appears to be comparatively rare. Furthermore, any biopsy showing a combination of histological patterns, a pattern of non-specific interstitial pneumonia or a pattern of lymphoid interstitial pneumonia/follicular bronchiolitis should be thoroughly investigated for a background connective tissue disorder, if previously unsuspected. Finally, the recently published prognostic data relating to these histological patterns in idiopathic disease should not be extrapolated to patients with connective tissue disorders.

Connective Tissue Diseases↗

PubMed1982

Structural abnormalities in the dermal collagen and elastic matrix from the skin of patients with inherited connective tissue disorders.

Skin from patients with inherited disorders of connective tissue metabolism (EDS Types I-IX, Marfan's syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, and cutis laxa) has been examined by light and transmission electron microscopy for defects in the collagen and elastic fibrous connective tissue which may explain the clinical disorder and/or correlate with the biochemical defect (where known). Alterations were observed in the organization of the dermis and in the individual collagen and elastic fibers. The major alterations observed among collagen fibrils were hieroglyphic-shaped fibrils, collagen flowers, unravelled fibrils and fibrils of normal shape but abnormally large or small diameters or a mixed population of both. Elastic fibrils were sometimes fragmented, highly branched, granular, densely stained and had inclusions suggestive of cellular debris. These changes appeared to be a consequence of degradative processes. Other fibers were seen with a paucity of elastin matrix associated with the microfibrils or with totally separate deposition of the two elastic fiber components. Such fibers were barely visible by light microscopy. Alterations were observed in tissue concurrently regardless of whether the biochemical defect was related to only one of these connective tissue structures. The observations support an hypothesis that alterations in one component of the connective tissue matrix may influence the deposition and structure of others, ultimately, modifying the overall organization and mechanical properties of the tissue.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Vasculitis associated with connective tissue disorders.

Vasculitis associated with connective tissue disorders is an important cause of secondary vasculitis about which little is written. When vasculitis occurs in the setting of a preexisting connective tissue disorder, it often correlates with disease severity and portends a poorer prognosis. It may involve virtually any organ system and present in a myriad of ways. Prompt recognition and treatment of vasculitis can dramatically improve the outcome for the patient. This review focuses on recent insights into the clinical presentation and pathogenic mechanisms that may be involved.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1994

Overlapping syndromes, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, and other fibrosing conditions.

Mixed connective disease is the prototype of an overlapping connective tissue disease. Based on the presence of a specific autoantibody directed against U1-snRNP (U1 small ribonucleoprotein), the syndrome has been considered a distinct disease entity. Patients with anti-U1-snRNP antibodies, however, do not present with a homogeneous clinical syndrome, and the majority develop a classified connective tissue disease within 5 years of presentation. Signs of scleroderma predominate in most patients. The immune response resulting in anti-U1-snRNP seems antigen driven and may result from molecular mimicry between U1-snRNP and certain viral proteins. Fibrotic conditions related to extrinsic factors have been described as human adjuvant disease. Case reports suggest that Swanson silastic joint prostheses can induce granulomatous reactions at a distance from the joints due to leaking of silicone from the implants. Much attention recently has been given to the possible induction of scleroderma-like syndromes in relation to silicone gel breast implants. However, the presently available data do not show convincing evidence that women with silicone gel breast implants are significantly at risk for developing a connective tissue disease.

Breast Implants↗

PubMed1993

Overlapping syndromes, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, and other fibrosing conditions.

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) frequently present as undifferentiated disorders that may or may not develop into one of the well defined CTDs. The natural evolution of the early undifferentiated CTDs is not well known. Some years ago a cooperative study was started on 410 patients with early CTD; within this group, 48 patients had early scleroderma. Raynaud's phenomenon has been recognized as an early sign of CTD. Several studies on Raynaud's phenomenon patients have shown that abnormal nailfold capillary patterns have prognostic significance for evolution to a CTD, particularly scleroderma. Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is the prototype of an overlap syndrome. The relevance of defining MCTD as a separate disease entity has been challenged. Follow-up studies show that many patients originally diagnosed with MCTD develop a definite CTD, particularly scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus, within a few years. In patients with MCTD, primary pulmonary hypertension is an important cause of death. This condition seems to be associated with anticardiolipin antibodies. A number of case reports suggest that immunosuppressive treatment is of benefit in this almost always fatal condition. The main reason for describing MCTD as a separate entity is its association with antibodies to U1-RNP. Recent studies have suggested that the production of anti-U1-RNP is an antigen-driven process, but the nature of the trigger for its production has not been elucidated. Retroviral proteins do not appear to be involved. Antibodies to the protein part of the U1-RNP complex and antibodies to the RNA component have been described. Levels of anti-RNA antibodies seem to parallel disease activity in MCTD patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

An alkali digestion method to expose connective tissue fibers: a scanning electron microscopy study of rat lung.

Alkali digestion has been used to remove cellular elements of tissues thus exposing the underlying connective tissue framework. We studied the action of this severe alkali treatment on the delicate tissues of rat lung. The lungs of male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with saline to remove blood and then inflated by fixation through the airways at 20 cm pressure. Sections of lung 2 x 5 x 5 mm were immersed in 2.5 M NaOH at 25 degrees C for 6 h, 16 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. The alkali was changed daily. Tissues were washed to neutral with water (24 h), treated with tannic acid (1%, 3h), post-fixed with osmic acid (1%, 3 h) and processed for SEM. At 6 h, epithelial cells started to peel off the alveolar surface. At 16 h the digestion process was well advanced. At 48 h the cells were completely removed revealing the lattice network of connective tissue fibers within the alveolar surface. The method allows the complete removal of cellular elements of the lung while retaining the very fine 3D structure of the connective tissue matrix.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The connective tissue sheath of uterus and vagina in the human female fetus.

A morphological study concerning the development and arrangement of the connective tissue surrounding uterus and vagina was performed by investigating epoxy resin impregnated sections through the pelves of 9-37-week-old female fetuses, of newborn children and a three-year-old child. In order to study the histology of the connective tissue in detail paraffin, semithin and ultrathin sections were used. The organization of the pelvic connective tissue in female fetuses can best be studied in middle-aged fetuses (19-28 weeks of gestation). We here report that no supportive ligaments of the uterus are found in fetuses of that age group, but that the connective tissue covering uterus and vagina is part of the connective tissue sheaths of neighbouring structures. The fetal uterus is interposed between dense subperitoneal connective tissue circularly covering the vesico- and rectouterine pouch. Dorsally the subperitoneal tissue of the rectouterine pouch joins the circularly arranged connective tissue of the rectal adventitia. A triangularly-shaped plate of dense connective tissue is situated at each lateral border of the cervix uteri. Dorsally it is continuous with the circularly running fibres of the rectouterine pouch. Whereas the dorsal wall of the vagina is loosely connected with the rectal adventitia, fibrous connective tissue intimately fuses the muscular wall of the vagina with that of the neck of the bladder and of the urethra. No evidence is provided for the existence of smooth muscle cells and elastic material within the connective tissue covering the fetal uterus.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1995

[Use of static pressure-volume relations to estimate the total amount of pulmonary connective tissue--theoretical approach].

There is no accepted way to estimate the amount of connective tissue in the lungs in vivo. I propose an equation for estimating the total amount of pulmonary connective tissue from static pressure-volume relations. The stress-strain relations of pulmonary connective tissue were assumed to be describable by a non-linear exponential function: f = exp(ax)-1, where "f" is stress, "x" is strain, and "a" is Young's modulus of elasticity. The connective tissue elements were assumed to be distributed randomly in orientation within a pulmonary lobule, and the bodies of a pulmonary lobule were assumed to be packed in "equilibrium space division", as proposed by Suwa (1981). Stochastic geometry for elastic elements in the lung was used to obtain a set of equations describing the static pressure-volume relationship, such that P = (0.12 zeta 0/3V0) x [exp(ax)/(1 + x)2] and V = V0 (1 + x)3, where V0 is a reference lung volume in a perfectly relaxed state and zeta 0 is the total amount of connective tissue in the pulmonary parenchyma. This new model can accommodate static pressure-volume relations of human subjects in the range of relatively high lung volumes reported by Turner et al. (J App Physiol 25: 664, 1968), by Corbin et al. (Am Rev Respir Dis 120: 293, 1979), and by Finucane et al. (J App Physiol 26: 330, 1969). In conclusion, the total amount of connective tissue in lung parenchyma can be estimated with this new model of the static pressure-volume relationship at relatively high lung volumes.

Connective Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Inductive action of epithelium on differentiation of intestinal connective tissue of Xenopus laevis tadpoles during metamorphosis in vitro.

The action of the epithelium on differentiation of connective tissue cells of Xenopus small intestine during metamorphosis was investigated by using culture and morphological techniques. Connective tissue fragments isolated from the small intestine at stage 57 were cultivated in the presence or absence of homologous epithelium. In the presence of the epithelium, metamorphic changes in the connective tissue were fully induced by hormones including thyroid hormone (T3), as during spontaneous metamorphosis, whereas they were partially induced in the absence of the epithelium. Macrophage-like cells showing non-specific esterase activity in the connective tissue were much fewer in the absence of the epithelium than in the presence of it, and aggregates of fibroblasts possessing well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum developed only in the presence of the epithelium. Just before the aggregation of the fibroblasts, the connective tissue close to the epithelium became intensely stained with concanavalin A (ConA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). The present results indicate that the epithelium plays important roles in the differentiation of intestinal connective tissue cells, which in turn affect the epithelial transformation from larval to adult form during anuran metamorphosis. Thus, the tissue interaction between the epithelium and the connective tissue in the anuran small intestine is truly bidirectional.

Animals↗