Figure 6

Presumptive interactions in the "complete mesenchymal-epithelial network" (stratified epithelium of ectocervix). Lower letters (a to p) indicate possible hierarchy of events. Demands for regeneration (a;dashed arrow) result in activation of the basic "Tissue Control Unit" (b-d) associated with microvasculature (Fig. 7), and stimulation of stem cell proliferation by primitive MDC (e; pMDC CD14). Activated pericytes (f; Thy-1 PC), DC precursors (h; DCp HLA-DR), and IgM (i; #1) stimulate gradual differentiation of young epithelial cells. Activated T cells (1; aTC), mature DC (m; DC CD68) and IgM (n;#2) stimulate maturation, and IgG (o) and IgM (p; #3) induce aging of epithelial cells. Dotted arrows (b, d, g, j, k) indicate interactions of mesenchymal cells; AI⁺, a permissive signal from autonomic innervation. Veiled cells (VC; dashed/dotted arrow) can migrate from the epithelium into lymphoid tissues and modulate production of tissue-committed T cells (TC) and immunoglobulins. BM, basement membrane. b/pb, basal/parabasal; pb/im, parabasal/intermediate; im/s, intermediate/superficial interfaces. For differences with other tissues ("restricted mesenchymal-epithelial network" due to the stop effect of MDC) see Ref. [9, 10].