Fibroblasts form a body-wide cellular network

Histochemistry and Cell Biology
Helene M LangevinDouglas J Taatjes

Abstract

"Loose" connective tissue forms a network extending throughout the body including subcutaneous and interstitial connective tissues. The existence of a cellular network of fibroblasts within loose connective tissue may have considerable significance as it may support yet unknown body-wide cellular signaling systems. We used a combination of histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, confocal scanning laser microscopy (confocal microscopy), and electron microscopy to investigate the extent and nature of cell-to-cell connections within mouse subcutaneous connective tissue. We found that fibroblasts formed a reticular web throughout the tissue. With confocal microscopy, 30% of fibroblasts' processes could be followed continuously from one cell to another. Connexin 43 immunoreactivity was present at apparent points of cell-to-cell contact. Electron microscopy revealed that processes from adjacent cells were in close apposition to one another, but gap junctions were not observed. Our findings indicate that soft tissue fibroblasts form an extensively interconnected cellular network, suggesting they may have important and so far unsuspected integrative functions at the level of the whole body.

Associated Clinical Trials

Jan 28, 2015·Iván Rodríguez Fuentes

Citations

Dec 23, 2004·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Esther Asan, Detlev Drenckhahn
Nov 12, 2005·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Douglas J Taatjes, Jürgen Roth
Jan 18, 2006·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Helene M LangevinDouglas J Taatjes
Mar 20, 2010·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Helene M LangevinDouglas J Taatjes
May 8, 2007·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Helene M LangevinGary J Badger
Aug 10, 2012·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Steven Finando, Donna Finando
Mar 7, 2008·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Miguel Miron-MendozaFrederick Grinnell
May 18, 2011·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Yu BaiQiu-Ni Liang
Aug 25, 2009·BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders·Hai-Qiang WangZhuo-Jing Luo
Feb 18, 2014·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Ana Gabriela JimenezJoseph B Williams
Apr 15, 2014·Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies·Paolo Tozzi
Jul 7, 2009·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology·Frederick Grinnell, W Matthew Petroll
Jan 19, 2016·Trends in Molecular Medicine·Eva A Rog-ZielinskaRoger Markwald
Mar 7, 2013·Cell Calcium·Nanna GoldmanTakahiro Takano
Mar 21, 2009·Experimental Cell Research·Antti VaheriPertteli Salmenperä
Dec 17, 2009·Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies·Helga Pohl
Jan 27, 2009·Journal of Anatomy·Mike Benjamin
Mar 6, 2013·Journal of Cellular Physiology·Helene M LangevinMaiken Nedergaard
Oct 15, 2010·Journal of Cellular Physiology·Helene M LangevinAlan K Howe
Feb 18, 2006·Medical Hypotheses·Helene M Langevin
Jul 15, 2015·Antiviral Research·Thérèse Couderc, Marc Lecuit
Aug 26, 2014·Acta histochemica·Alexandra Diana VrapciuCatalina Gabriela Corbu
Mar 19, 2014·Journal of Motor Behavior·Michael T Turvey, Sérgio T Fonseca
Dec 15, 2012·Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering·Neil A DuncanElizabeth J Kelly
Jun 24, 2010·The Journal of Hand Surgery, European Volume·J C GuimberteauJ K F Wong
Apr 19, 2012·Circulation. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology·Stephan Rohr
Oct 22, 2004·American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology·Helene M LangevinAlan K Howe
Dec 22, 2006·Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton·Michelle E WallAlbert J Banes
Feb 18, 2011·Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology·Stephan Rohr
Nov 15, 2019·Microscopy and Microanalysis : the Official Journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada·Katerina CizkovaZdenek Tauber
Jan 9, 2016·American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·Iván Rodríguez-FuentesIsaac Manuel Fuentes-Boquete
Apr 21, 2019·Scientific Reports·Kazuhisa MurataKei-Ichiro Nakamura

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Papers

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
Helene M LangevinAlan K Howe
PLoS Pathogens
Marion SourisseauOlivier Schwartz
FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Helene M LangevinMarilyn J Cipolla
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved