Ground substance is an amorphous gel-like substance in the extracellular space of animals that contains all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) except for fibrous materials such as collagen and elastin.[1] Ground substance is active in the development, movement, and proliferation of tissues, as well as their metabolism. Additionally, cells use it for support, water storage, binding, and a medium for intercellular exchange (especially between blood cells and other types of cells). Ground substance provides lubrication for collagen fibers.[2]
The components of the ground substance vary depending on the tissue. Ground substance is primarily composed of water and large organic molecules, such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), proteoglycans, and glycoproteins. GAGs are polysaccharides that trap water, giving the ground substance a gel-like texture. Important GAGs found in ground substance include hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate. With the exception of hyaluronic acid, GAGs are bound to proteins called proteoglycans. Glycoproteins are proteins that attach components of the ground substance to one another and to the surfaces of cells.[3] Components of the ground substance are secreted by fibroblasts. Usually it is not visible on slides, because it is lost during staining in the preparation process.[4]
Link proteins such as vinculin, spectrin and actomyosin stabilize the proteoglycans and organize elastic fibers in the ECM.[2] Changes in the density of ground substance can allow collagen fibers to form aberrant cross-links.[2] Loose connective tissue is characterized by few fibers and cells, and a relatively large amount of ground substance. Dense connective tissue has a smaller amount of ground substance compared to the fibrous material.[2]
The meaning of the term has evolved over time.[5]
^Peckham M (2003). "Extracellular Matrix - 'Ground substance'". University of Leeds.
^ abcdStecco C, Hammer W, Vleeming A, De Caro R (2015). "Connective Tissues". Functional Atlas of the Human Fascial System. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. pp. 1–20. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4430-4.00001-4. ISBN 978-0-7020-4430-4.
^Tortora, Gerard; Derrickson, Bryan (2014). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (14th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 122-123. ISBN 978-1-118-34500-9.
^"Connective Tissue". Self Study Unit of the Basic Tissues. University of Ottawa. Archived from the original on 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
^Wheatley DN (June 2003). "Diffusion, perfusion and the exclusion principles in the structural and functional organization of the living cell: reappraisal of the properties of the 'ground substance'". The Journal of Experimental Biology. 206 (Pt 12): 1955–61. doi:10.1242/jeb.00238. PMID 12756276.
Groundsubstance is an amorphous gel-like substance in the extracellular space of animals that contains all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM)...
tissue consists of three main components: elastic and collagen fibers, groundsubstance, and cells. Blood, and lymph are classed as specialized fluid connective...
that every cell requires a suitable environment which he called the groundsubstance for successful microcirculation. This work of German scientists was...
They have a semi-fluid matrix with lesser proportions of fibers. Its groundsubstance occupies more volume than the fibers do. It has a viscous to gel-like...
connective tissue consists of mostly collagen fibers. It has less groundsubstance than loose connective tissue. Fibroblasts are the predominant cell...
Substance theory, or substance–attribute theory, is an ontological theory positing that objects are constituted each by a substance and properties borne...
extracellular matrix (ECM), providing all such components, primarily the groundsubstance and a variety of fibers. The composition of the ECM determines the...
elastic collagen fibers, also known as ossein, and the remainder is groundsubstance. The elasticity of collagen improves fracture resistance. The matrix...
fibers and groundsubstance. The predominant type of fiber is type I collagen and comprises ninety percent of the osteoid. The groundsubstance is mostly...
bone mineral comprise the ECM of bone tissue; reticular fibers and groundsubstance comprise the ECM of loose connective tissue; and blood plasma is the...
produce a large amount of collagenous extracellular matrix, abundant groundsubstance that is rich in proteoglycan and elastin fibers. Cartilage is classified...
of the groundsubstance. The fibroblasts are the most common cell responsible for the production of soft tissues' fibers and groundsubstance. Variations...
no vocal ligament. The monolayered lamina propria is composed of groundsubstances such as hyaluronic acid and fibronectin, fibroblasts, elastic fibers...
Substance use disorder (SUD) is the persistent use of drugs despite the substantial harm and adverse consequences to one's own self and others, as a result...
and mesoderm of the connecting stalk as the groundsubstance. This extraembryonic mesodermal groundsubstance forms the future Wharton's jelly. The amniotic...
mucopolysaccharide in the groundsubstance. This results in a separation of the collagen fibre by accumulating groundsubstance eventually the collagen...
fibrous connective tissue, primarily collagen, embedded in a matrix of groundsubstance. This structure serves to support capillary blood vessels, arranged...
aneurysmal aortas have a much higher volume fraction of collagen and groundsubstance (54.8% vs. 95.6%) and a much lower volume fraction of elastin (22.7%...
their components and the presence of sialic acid in the amorphous groundsubstance. Collagen fibrils, elastic fibers, microfibrils, nerve fibers, and...
Structural components of the dermis are collagen, elastic fibers, and groundsubstance also called extra fibrillar matrix. Within these components are the...
they are responsible for synthesis and turnover of tendon fibres and groundsubstance. Tendon cells form a connecting epithelial layer between the muscle...
Structural components of the dermis are collagen, elastic fibers, and groundsubstance. Within these components are the pilosebaceous units, arrector pili...
conditions (such as heather honey or mānuka honey). Both cytoplasm and the groundsubstance in the human body are thixotropic, as is semen. Some clay deposits...
rather irregularly and loosely arranged cells embedded in abundant groundsubstance staining metachromatic. The smooth muscle cells of the layer are rather...
embryo. Mesenchyme is characterized morphologically by a prominent groundsubstance matrix containing a loose aggregate of reticular fibers and unspecialized...