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.     

Science and Art in Preparing Tissues Embedded in Plastic for Light Microscopy, with Special Reference to Glycol Methacrylate, Glass Knives and Simple Stains

Plastic embedding preserves tissue structure much more faithfully than does paraffin. Acrylic polymerization is innocuous to dye-binding groups in sections. The water solubility of glycol methacrylate monomer and the hydrophilic properties of the polymer allow for convenience in dehydration and for versatility in staining sections. Five years of experience with glycol methacrylate (GMA) embedding for light microscopy is summarized. Methods for purifying GMA monomer are cited. Procedures for fixing, dehydrating, embedding, polymerizing, sectioning and staining, using GMA, are explained. A method is provided for making glass knives long enough to cut large blocks. Simple, reliable, quick staining methods are outlined. When compared with paraffin, GMA offers opportunities for simpler, quicker procedures and yields sections of superior quality, greater information content, and less distortion.     

Science and art in preparing tissues embedded in plastic for light microscopy, with special reference to glycol methacrylate, glass knives and simple stains.

Plastic embedding preserves tissue structure much more faithfully than does paraffin. Acrylic polymerization is innocuous to dye-binding groups in sections. The water solubility of glycol methacrylate monomer and the hydrophilic properties of the polymer allow for convenience in dehydration and for versatility in staining sections. Five years of experience with glycol methacrylate (GMA) embedding for light microscopy is summarized. Methods for purifying GMA monomer are cited. Procedures for fixing, dehydrating, embedding, polymerizing, sectioning and staining, using GMA, are explained. A method is provided for making glass knives long enough to cut large blocks. Simple, reliable, quick staining methods are outlined. When compared with paraffin, GMA offers opportunities for simpler, quicker procedures and yields sections of superior quality, greater information content, and less distortion.     

Enzyme histochemical investigation of glycol methacrylate embedded chick embryonic tissue

Synopsis The advantages of the water-soluble glycol methacrylate (GMA) embedding procedure make it highly applicable for use with fragile early embryonic material. Not only can one obtain tissue sections containing excellent histological detail, but numerous enzymes are retained for subsequent histochemical localization. For the purpose of establishing a methodology whereby concomitant histology and histochemistry could be obtainable, various fixatives and fixation times have been evaluated on GMA embedded chick embryonic mesonephros and gonad. It was found that fixing the tissues for 1 h in a solution of 95% ethanol, 5% acetic acid and 10% neutralbuffered formalin resulted in the retention of not only excellent histology but also alkaline and acid phosphatase. Thus, with this procedure, more specific investigations of early embryonic tissue can be performed.     

Processing of immunoisolated pancreatic islets: implications for histological analyses of hydrated tissue

Routine tissue processing is usually associated with histological artifacts as a consequence of shrinkage and distortion during dehydration required for embedding. With hydrated specimens such as lung, embryonic, and tissues in hydrophilic membranes, tissue processing can induce severe artifacts that interfere with adequate microscopic evaluation. Here we present a method for embedding hydrophilic alginate-polylysine microencapsulated pancreatic tissue that combines the absence of histological artifacts with a practical tissue processing method. We found that the glycol-methacrylate (GMA)-embedding method preserved the integrity of the encapsulated tissue better than snap-freezing or paraffin embedding, but the overall quality of the hydrophilic capsules remained poor Next, we modified the GMA method by introducing gradual dehydration to investigate whether the integrity of the sectioned capsules was better maintained by a more gradual pattern of water extraction. This modification resulted in well-preserved morphological details of the hydrophilic membranes, hydrogel-cell interface, and encapsulated pancreatic tissue. Subsequent routine staining gave excellent contrast between the islet tissue and hydrophilic components, which allowed adequate quantitative histological and pathological comparisons.     

结缔组织铺片脂肪组织油红染色在组织学实验教学中的应用

目的在传统结缔组织铺片基础上开展脂肪组织油红染色方法在医学本科生组织学实验教学中的应用。方法学生先进行疏松结缔组织铺片,并施行脂肪组织油红o-甲苯胺兰-伊红三重染色,然后镜下观察。结果油红o染色把结缔组织中的脂肪细胞内脂滴保存下来并染上红色。脂肪组织中央的细胞脂滴均匀红染,充满胞浆,周边的脂肪细胞胞浆中油红染色很少,细胞呈空泡状,显示出脂肪细胞亚群存在。甲苯胺兰染色使得疏松结缔组织中肥大细胞染成紫红色,胞核染色浅,细胞数量多、成群分布。伊红可使得结缔组织内除脂肪细胞、肥大细胞意外的其他细胞的胞浆和胶原纤维染成淡红色。结论传统的组织学平铺片技术基础上引入脂肪油红o-甲苯胺兰-伊红三重染色,可增强学生动手能力,并能很好地了解输送结缔组织中细胞的不同表型和分布,丰富组织学内容,把教学、科研连接一起,达到提高实验教学质量的目的。     

Demonstration of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in un-decalcified, glycolmethacrylate-embedded mouse bone: a possible marker for (pre)osteoclast identification

Fixed, undecalcified mouse long bones were embedded in glycol methacrylate (GMA), sectioned, and incubated for acid phosphatase in the presence or absence of tartrate, to investigate the feasibility of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase as a histochemical marker for osteoclast identification. Naphthol AS-BI phosphate was used as the substrate and hexazonium pararosanaline as coupler. Cytocentrifuge preparations of mouse, rat, and quail bone marrow or frozen and GMA sections of mouse splenic tissue were used as controls to specify acid phosphatase activity. After adequate fixation, acid phosphatase activity sensitive to tartrate inhibition (TS-AP) was demonstrated in macrophages from spleen, bone marrow, and loose connective tissue surrounding bone rudiments. Acid phosphatase activity resistant to tartrate inhibition (TR-AP), was detected in multi-nuclear osteoclasts and in some mononuclear cells from bone marrow and periosteum. In cytocentrifuge preparations and frozen sections of mouse spleen, TR-AP was demonstrated after simultaneous incubation with substrate and tartrate. In GMA sections, however, TR-AP could only be demonstrated after pre-incubation with tartrate before application of substrate. We suggest that histochemical demonstration of TR-AP versus TS-AP on GMA-embedded bone sections by means of a pre-incubation method can be used as an identification marker of (pre)osteoclasts. Plastic embedding is recommended for its excellent preservation of morphology and enzyme activity.     

Viscoelastic properties of bovine orbital connective tissue and fat: constitutive models

Reported mechanical properties of orbital connective tissue and fat have been too sparse to model strain–stress relationships underlying biomechanical interactions in strabismus. We performed rheological tests to develop a multi-mode upper convected Maxwell (UCM) model of these tissues under shear loading. From 20 fresh bovine orbits, 30 samples of connective tissue were taken from rectus pulley regions and 30 samples of fatty tissues from the posterior orbit. Additional samples were defatted to determine connective tissue weight proportion, which was verified histologically. Mechanical testing in shear employed a triborheometer to perform: strain sweeps at 0.5–2.0 Hz; shear stress relaxation with 1% strain; viscometry at 0.01−0.5 s⁻¹ strain rate; and shear oscillation at 1% strain. Average connective tissue weight proportion was 98% for predominantly connective tissue and 76% for fatty tissue. Connective tissue specimens reached a long-term relaxation modulus of 668 Pa after 1,500 s, while corresponding values for fatty tissue specimens were 290 Pa and 1,100 s. Shear stress magnitude for connective tissue exceeded that of fatty tissue by five-fold. Based on these data, we developed a multi-mode UCM model with variable viscosities and time constants, and a damped hyperelastic response that accurately described measured properties of both connective and fatty tissues. Model parameters differed significantly between the two tissues. Viscoelastic properties of predominantly connective orbital tissues under shear loading differ markedly from properties of orbital fat, but both are accurately reflected using UCM models. These viscoelastic models will facilitate realistic global modeling of EOM behavior in binocular alignment and strabismus.     

Automated detection of connective tissue by tissue counter analysis and classification and regression trees.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of the CART (Classification and Regression Tree) procedure for the recognition of microscopic structures in tissue counter analysis. METHODS: Digital microscopic images of H & E; stained slides of normal human skin and of primary malignant melanoma were overlayed with regularly distributed square measuring masks (elements) and grey value, texture and colour features within each mask were recorded. In the learning set, elements were interactively labeled as representing either connective tissue of the reticular dermis, other tissue components or background. Subsequently, CART models were based on these data sets. RESULTS: Implementation of the CART classification rules into the image analysis program showed that in an independent test set 94.1% of elements classified as connective tissue of the reticular dermis were correctly labeled. Automated measurements of the total amount of tissue and of the amount of connective tissue within a slide showed high reproducibility (r=0.97 and r=0.94, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CART procedure in tissue counter analysis yields simple and reproducible classification rules for tissue elements.     

Histogenesis of skeletogenic tissue in bone regeneration during distraction

Light and electron microscopy were employed to study the histogenesis of the skeletogenous tissue during stable distraction osteosynthesis according to G. A. Ilizarov. Osteosynthesis proceeded on the basis of the invariably existing fibrillar connective tissue growth plate situated in the medium part of the distraction regenerate. Osteogenesis was continuously accompanied by angiogenesis. Preservation of the connective tissue plate is accounted for by the stimulating influence of distraction on fibrillogenesis. The authors suggest the common character of the histogenesis of the vascular and bone tissues in the connective tissue blastema of the interfragmental distraction regenerate.     

Fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling contributes to connective tissue tension

The visco-elastic behavior of connective tissue is generally attributed to the material properties of the extracellular matrix rather than cellular activity. We have previously shown that fibroblasts within areolar connective tissue exhibit dynamic cytoskeletal remodeling within minutes in response to tissue stretch ex vivo and in vivo. Here, we tested the hypothesis that fibroblasts, through this cytoskeletal remodeling, actively contribute to the visco-elastic behavior of the whole tissue. We measured significantly increased tissue tension when cellular function was broadly inhibited by sodium azide and when cytoskeletal dynamics were compromised by disrupting microtubules (with colchicine) or actomyosin contractility (via Rho kinase inhibition). These treatments led to a decrease in cell body cross-sectional area and cell field perimeter (obtained by joining the end of all of a fibroblast's processes). Suppressing lamellipodia formation by inhibiting Rac-1 decreased cell body cross-sectional area but did not affect cell field perimeter or tissue tension. Thus, by changing shape, fibroblasts can dynamically modulate the visco-elastic behavior of areolar connective tissue through Rho-dependent cytoskeletal mechanisms. These results have broad implications for our understanding of the dynamic interplay of forces between fibroblasts and their surrounding matrix, as well as for the neural, vascular, and immune cell populations residing within connective tissue.     

Diagnostic significance of connective tissue enzymes

In spite of the extensive literature, little is known of the diagnostic value of the enzymes of connective tissue metabolism. This review summarizes the available information and assesses the significance of enzyme measurements for the diagnosis of hereditary and nonhereditary connective tissue diseases, with emphasis being given to the roles of abnormal activities of collagenases and lysosomal glycosidases in the detection of fibrotic processes.     

The influence of differing connective tissue substrates on the maintenance of adult stratified squamous epithelia

Summary The interaction between adult stratified squamous epithelium and its supporting connective tissue possibly involves both permissive and directive influences. To examine the effect of vitality and specificity of connective tissue on the maintenance of epithelial structure and histo-differentiation, specimens of skin and oral mucosa from various regions of adult mice were separated using either EDTA or trypsin. Prior to transplantation, the epithelium was recombined with either inverted homologous connective tissue or with connective tissue that had been killed either by heating or repeated freeze-thawing. Epithelial sheets were also transplanted onto the graft bed alone or in combination with striated muscle or tendon.Normal patterns of cytodifferentiation were maintained when the epithelium was recombined with inverted or frozen-thawed subepithelial connective tissue but there was a loss of spatial organization on the frozen-thawed connective tissue. In contrast, heat-killed or trypsin-treated frozen-thawed subepithelial connective tissue and non-dermal connective tissue failed to maintain a viable epithelium. These observations suggest that subepithelial connective tissues (dermis, lamina propria) but not deep connective tissues facilitate epithelial proliferation and histodifferentiation.Supported by NIH/NIDR RO1 DEO5190     

Glucocorticoid action on connective tissue: from molecular mechanisms to clinical practice

Glucocorticosteroids are highly effective in treating various acute and chronic diseases, but their long-term use is often accompanied by side effects, such as osteoporosis of skeleton and bones and atrophy of the skin. Clinically, many of these side effects involve changes in connective tissue. Glucocorticoid effects on connective tissue metabolism are, however, sometimes beneficial for instance, in the treatment of keloids or autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Recent advances in the biochemical technology have provided tools to examine the molecular mechanisms by which glucocorticoids affect connective tissue. These studies have shown distinct alterations in the extracellular matrix as a result of glucocorticoid treatment. This knowledge is useful for the further development of glucocorticosteroids with desirable action spectrum and with minimal side effects.     

Ultrastructural changes in the intestinal connective tissue of Xenopus laevis during metamorphosis

Ultrastructural changes in the intestinal connective tissue of Xenopus laevis during metamorphosis have been studied. Throughout the larval period to stage 60, the connective tissue consists of a few immature fibroblasts surrounded by a sparse extracellular matrix: few collagen fibrils are visible except close to the thin basal lamina. At the beginning of the transition from larval to adult epithelial form around stage 60, extensive changes are observed in connective tissue. The cells become more numerous and different types appear as the collagen fibrils increase in number and density. Through gaps in the thickened and extensively folded basal lamina, frequent contacts between epithelial and connective tissue cells are established. Thereafter, with the progression of fold formation, the connective tissue cells become oriented according to their position relative to the fold structure. The basal lamina beneath the adult epithelium becomes thin after stage 62, while that beneath the larval epithelium remains thick. Upon the completion of metamorphosis, the connective tissue consists mainly of typical fibroblasts with definite orientation and numerous collagen fibrils. These observations indicate that developmental changes in the connective tissue, especially in the region close to the epithelium, are closely related spatiotemporarily to the transition from the larval to the adult epithelial form. This suggests that tissue interactions between the connective tissue and the epithelium play important roles in controlling the epithelial degeneration, proliferation, and differentiation during metamorphic climax.     

Quantitative analysis of 17 amino acids in the connective tissue of patients with pelvic organ prolapse using capillary electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry

The simultaneous determination of 17 amino acids in connective tissue using capillary electrophoresis is described in this study. Separation was carried out on a fused silica capillary column (80 cm x 50 mm i.d.) with 1M formic acid as the running electrolyte. The detection was conducted on a mass spectrometer by selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via an electrospray ionization source. Tissue samples were prepared by reduction and acid hydrolysis to extract amino acids; over 84.3% recovery was seen for all compounds. The method allowed for sensitive, reproducible, and reliable quantification, and all 17 amino acids were separated using this method. Good linearity over the investigated concentration ranges was observed, with values of R higher than 0.993 for all the analytes. Precision and accuracy examined at three concentration levels ranged from 0.2% to 19.5% and 84.1% to 120.0%, respectively. Matrix effects were also tested and ranged from -9.1% to 15.4%. The validated method was applied to the quantitation of 17 amino acids in pelvic connective tissue of pelvic organ prolapsed patients. Methionine, glutamine, and histidine were significantly higher in the experimental patients compared to the controls. This suggests that changes in the amino acid concentrations within the connective tissue could be a factor in the genesis of pelvic organ prolapse. Therefore, this method is potentially applicable for amino acid analysis in tissue, providing a more complete understanding of pelvic organ prolapse.     

Some morphological and histochemical aspects of nemertean connective tissue

Summary The organization of the connective tissue system in three nemertine species, Amphiporus pulcher, Lineus bilineatus and Lineus ruber has been studied. Most attention has been paid to A. pulcher. Light microscopical, histochemical and electron microscopical methods have been employed.Three elements have been found and described: several types of free cells, filaments and ground substance. The filaments belong to the collagen family and form a supportive collagen skeleton in the animals. The ground substance is abundant in A. pulcher and is composed of protein and acid and neutral polysaccharides. The connective tissue cells have been classified in three groups, but intergrading between the cells, especially groups 1 and 3 is found. The connective tissue cells are highly polymorphic and often combine several functions in the same cell, e.g. synthesis of extracellular products, phagocytosis, pigment synthesis or uptake and a function as cellular material for regenerative processes.It is stressed that the connective tissue system probably forms a unity in the animals and no attempt has been made to make a rigid and presumably rather unnatural classification into various types.Comparative aspects of nemertine connective tissue have been discussed in relation to the patterns found in acoel, triclad and polyclad turbellarians. It is concluded that the nemertean connective tissue system still has features in common with turbellarian patterns, especially the one found in polyclads. However, the nemertine connective tissue system exhibits greater complexity than those found in turbellarians. The nemertine connective tissue system both shows continuity to the turbellarian organizations but also has features added so that it conforms with the patterns found in most groups of animals including vertebrates.The author is indebted to Professor G. Thorson and Dr. Gunnar Berg, The Marine Biological Laboratory, Elsinore, for supplying the animals. The efficient and conscientious assistance of Mrs. K. Bahnert and Miss Åse Madsen is greatly appreciated.     

Study of antibodies to heterologous connective tissue, isolated from sera of patients with rheumatism]

Antibodies against connective tissue elements of various bovine organs were isolated from the sera of rheumatic fever patients with the aid of immunosorbents (bovine connective tissue extract and erythrocyte stroma). The antibody preparations obtained were not identical and contained antibodies against different antigens of bovine connective tissue. The antibody preparations failed to react with human connective tissue components.     

Epidemiology of organic solvents and connective tissue disease

Case reports suggest that solvents are associated with various connective tissue diseases (systemic sclerosis, scleroderma, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, and rheumatoid arthritis), particularly systemic sclerosis. A small number of epidemiological studies have shown statistically significant but weak associations between solvent exposure, systemic sclerosis, and undifferentiated connective tissue disease. However, the interpretation of these positive findings is tempered by a lack of replication, an inability to specify which solvents convey risk, and an absence of increasing risk with increasing exposure. Existing studies, on aggregate, do not show conclusively that solvents (either as a group of chemicals or individual chemicals) are causally associated with any connective tissue disease. Further investigations should be carried out to replicate the positive existing findings and to specify the solvents and circumstances of exposure that carry risk.