Connective tissue is made from cells, fibers, and a gelatinous material called ground substance. Bone, cartilage, blood, fat, and lymphatic tissue are types of connective tissues.

This allowed them to uncover unexpected new functions and gene expression programs for several cell types, such as muscle cell programs being expressed in lung connective tissue cells.

Diseases of connective tissue include a large number of different disorders that can affect various parts of the body. Here's what you should know.