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Does Extracellular Matrix = interstitial fluid(the fluid that bathes the tissues) but not the capillary plasma?

Thanks Biology Forums!!!!

There are two major fluid compartments in the body: the intracellular space (inside cells) and the extracellular space (outside cells). In turn the extracellular space is further divided into two more: the interstitial space (the space in between cells in a given tissue) and the vascular space (the extracellular portion of the circulation). So, interstitial fluid is the fluid in between and outside the cells inside a tissue, and the extracellular fluid is the sum of interstitial fluid and vascular fluid.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, interconnected meshwork of connective tissue that supports and provides a structural framework for cells and tissue organization. It is present in the interstitial space and it consists of a gel-like combination of polysaccharides, glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Very often, its components are produced and laid down by the very cells it supports. But the ECM does more than just provide stucture--it is also intimately involved in the control of cellular function and the growth of new tissue--it has ligands for cell surface receptors that not only anchor cells in place, but when bound to their cognate cell-surface receptors, trigger signaling mechanisms within the cell that alter its functions (e.g. enzyme activities, gene expression). Just as ECM can alter cell function, cells themselves can also alter the ECM--one good example is the sprouting of new blood vessels--cells use enzymes (matrix metalloproteases--MMPs) that are either expressed on the cell surface or are secreted by the cell, that selectively break down ECM so that new blood vessels can sprout and grow through--kind of like clearing wilderness in order to build a new road. This is also a mechanism whereby white blood cells like leukocytes and lymphocytes move from the blood into tissues--they pass through "holes," (some temporary that they've made themselves via MMPs, some that are preexisting) in the ECM to get to where they are going. It may also be a mechanism whereby metastatic cancer cells move around...

Interstitial always means between parts for example interstitial tissue is the one that fills parts of an organ. The matrix is the main element that is in the composition of a cell like bone cells matrix is hard calcium and bone cells stay within open spaces within the bone matrix. Bone cells communicate through tiny canals to attain nutrients from blood stream.

ECF is further divided into two compartments: plasma and interstitial fluid. Plasma is the fluid circulating in the blood vessels and is the smaller of the two ECF subcompartments. Interstitial fluid is the fluid that actually bathes the cells and is the larger of the two subcompartments. Plasma and interstitial fluid are separated by the capillary wall. Interstitial fluid is an ultrafiltrate of plasma, formed by filtration processes across the capillary wall. Because the capillary wall is virtually impermeable to large molecules such as plasma proteins, interstitial fluid contains little, if any, protein.

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If I may, I just have two last question. What about the lymph fluid. I believe this is part of the extracellular fluid too?

Lastly, Would the capillaries as well have extra cellular matrix(has similar but different compositions)

Thank you so much Bioman, Doubleu, and Eman!

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