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Flashcards in Mesenchymal cells and progenitors Deck (24)
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1
Q

What is the mesenchyme?

A

A group of loosely packed cells that lack polarity

2
Q

What does the mesenchyme form?

A

Meshwork of ECM

Allow cells to invade and form tissues

3
Q

What do mesenchymal cells differentiate into?

A

Myocytes

Skin

Astrocytes

Stromal cells

Adipocytes

4
Q

Where in the skin is the mesenchyme found?

A

In the dermis

5
Q

Which two cells formed from mesenchymal cells make up the skin?

A

Fibroblasts

Myofibroblasts

6
Q

What is the function of epithelial cells?

A

Forms barrier that protects host from environment and pathogens

Regulates exchange of nutrients, hormone, ect between blood and tissue

7
Q

Why are epithelial cells polarised?

A

They express different proteins on either side

8
Q

What is the importance of polarised epithelial cells?

A

Important in forming a barrier and joining cells together

Found in kidney, gut and lungs

9
Q

What happens when the barrier of epithelial cells is damaged?

A

Inflammation

Activation of underlying cells

10
Q

When may leakage of the epithelial barrier be desirable?

A

For recruiting plasma proteins and promoting immune cell influx

11
Q

What are two types of mesenchymal transition?

A

Epithelial - mesenchymal transition

Endothelial - mesenchymal transition

12
Q

What induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition?

A

TGFb, GFG, EGF (endothelial growth factor)

Environmental changes - hypoxia

13
Q

What do epithelial cells become in epithelial-mesenchymal transition?

A

Myofibroblasts

14
Q

Steps of epithelial-mesenchymal transition

A

Loose polarity and cell-cell adhesion

Lose ability to form tight junctions - barrier loses its function

Become more migratory

Lose expression of epithelial proteins (cytokeratins)

Gain expression of mesenchymal protein cell markers

15
Q

In what processes is epithelial-mesenchymal transition involved?

A

Essential in the development of tissues and organs - heart valve, palette formation

Important in wound healing process

Associated with development of diseases

16
Q

Which diseases is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition involved in?

A

Cancer

Lung fibrosis

COPD

CKD

17
Q

How does epithelial-mesenchymal transition contribute to cancer?

A

Contributes to cancer stroma

Connective, functionally supportive framework of cells

18
Q

What activates endothelial-mesenchymal transition?

A

Inflammatory cytokines - TGFb, TNFa and IL1b

Environmental changes - hypoxia

19
Q

Steps of endothelial-mesenchymal transition

A

Endothelial cells appearance changes into spindle

Loose their polarity and cell-cell adhesion

Become more migratory

Loss of endothelial surface markers

Gain expression of mesenchymal proteins - collagen I and fibronectin

20
Q

What does endothelial mesenchymal transition form?

A

Myofibroblasts

21
Q

What processes are associated with endothelial mesenchymak transition?

A

Critical process for development of tissues and organs

Forming cardiac cushions in the heart

Associated diseases

22
Q

Which diseases is endothelial mesenchymal transition associated with?

A

Cancer

Pulmonary hypertension

Atherosclerosis

Inflammatory diseases

23
Q

What is the appearance of endothelial cells?

A

Cobble-like arrangement

24
Q

What is the appearance of epithelial cells?

A

Spindle-like formation