Connective Tissue

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Definition:

Connective tissue comprises cells that lay down proteins and glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans) within an insoluble extracellular matrix. Connective tissue includes skin, ligaments, tendons, bone, synovial fluid, vitreous gel, walls of blood vessels, and cartilage. Virtually all structures in the body contain connective tissue. Cells within connective tissue, along with those of the immune system, secrete specific enzymes important during injury, infection, and allergy. These enzymes (broadly known as hydrolases) serve to breakdown the protein and glycoconjugate structures.

• Prockop, D. J., H. Kuivaniemi, G. Tromp., and L. Ala-Kokko. 2001. Inherited disorders of connective tissue, pp. 2290-2300. In E. Braunwald, A. S. Fauci, D. L. Kasper, S. L. Hauser, D. L. Longo, and J. L. Jameson (ed.), Harrison's principles of internal medicine, 15th ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.

Composition:

• Byers, P. H. 2001. Disorders of collagen biosynthesis and structure, pp. 5241-5285. In C. R. Scriver, A. L. Beaudet, W. S. Sly, D. Valle, B. Childs, K. Kinzler, & B. Vogelstein (ed.), The metabolic and molecular bases of inherited disease, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
• Prockop, D. J., H. Kuivaniemi, G. Tromp., and L. Ala-Kokko. 2001. Inherited disorders of connective tissue, pp. 2290-2300. In E. Braunwald, A. S. Fauci, D. L. Kasper, S. L. Hauser, D. L. Longo, and J. L. Jameson (ed.), Harrison's principles of internal medicine, 15th ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
• Dietz, H. C., and R. E. Pyeritz. 2001. Marfan syndrome and related disorders, pp. 5287-5311. In C. R. Scriver, A. L. Beaudet, W. S. Sly, D. Valle, B. Childs, K. Kinzler, & B. Vogelstein (ed.), The metabolic and molecular bases of inherited disease, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.

Processing Enzymes:

• Byers, P. H. 2001. Disorders of collagen biosynthesis and structure, pp. 5241-5285. In C. R. Scriver, A. L. Beaudet, W. S. Sly, D. Valle, B. Childs, K. Kinzler, & B. Vogelstein (ed.), The metabolic and molecular bases of inherited disease, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
• Prockop, D. J., H. Kuivaniemi, G. Tromp., and L. Ala-Kokko. 2001. Inherited disorders of connective tissue, pp. 2290-2300. In E. Braunwald, A. S. Fauci, D. L. Kasper, S. L. Hauser, D. L. Longo, and J. L. Jameson (ed.), Harrison's principles of internal medicine, 15th ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.

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