Author/Editor		Egerbacher, M; Boeck, P
Title		Myxoid tissue is a precursor of cartilage
Type		članek
Source		In: Cestnik V, Pogačnik A, editors. Referati 6. Zavrnikovega spominskega sestanka; 1995 nov 9-11; Lipica. Ljubljana: Veterinarska fakulteta,
Publication year		1997
Volume		str. 121-4
Language		eng
Abstract		Myxoid tissue is characterized by stellate cells placed into mucinous extracellular matrix that mainly resembles hyaluronic acid. Myxoid tissue is poorly vascularized and often adjoins cartilage without clear demarcation. Histochemical staining reactions of myxoid tissue were studied in the adult cat epiglottis and differentiation of the epiglottic cartilage was analyzed during postnatal development. Myxoid matrix showed metachromasia with Toluidine blue O and bound Alcian blue 8GX at pH=2.5; both these staining reactions were abolished after hyaluronidase treatment. Myxoid cells showed immunostaining for S-100 protein and for glial fibrillary acidic protein, as did chondrocytes. In three-week-old kittens, the future epiglottic cartilage consisted of myxoid tissue. Later on, chondroblasts and chondrocytes appeared in myxoid areas and the amount of myxoid tissue became reduced. Finally, a rim of myxoid tissue surrounded the areas of elastic cartilage. We also studied myxoid and chondroid stromal dedifferentiation in mammary carcinomas of dogs. Again, myxoid areas were seen gradually to transform into chondroid tissue and into cartilage. This was indicated by gradually increasing concentrations of extracellular matrix chondroitin sulfate, shape change of stellate myxoid cells to oval chondrocytes, and formation of territories. These findings indicate that myxoid tissue and cartilage are closely related and that myxoid tissue can serve as a precursor of cartilage.
Descriptors		CARTILAGE CATS