Telocytes heterogeneity: From cellular morphology to functional evidence

Crețoiu, Dragoș; Radu, Beatrice Mihaela; Banciu, Adela; Banciu, Doina; Creţoiu, Sanda Maria

doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.08.023

Cited by 71 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 150 publications

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“…Of note, these observations are in agreement with previous studies describing an increase in the apoptotic rate within the keratoconic corneal stroma as detected by TUNEL assay 6, 7. According to the possible functions which have been proposed for TC in a variety of organs 11, 12, 46, the regular distribution of TC and their telopodes that we observed throughout the whole normal corneal stroma might contribute to the correct assembly and maintenance of a highly organized collagenous matrix which is essential for conferring the adequate corneal transparency and mechanical stability. In addition, we found that in the normal cornea, TC establish homocellular contacts formed by gap junctions, highly specialized membrane structures which allow the exchange of small molecular mediators involved in intercellular signalling and thus contributing to the maintenance of tissue homoeostasis 38, 39.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Here, for the first time, we provide direct evidence for the existence of TC in human cornea by an integrated immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy approach. In fact, according to recent literature data [11,12,37,43,45,46], corneal TC were mainly recognizable for their typical ultrastructural features (i.e. cells with telopodes characterized by the alternation of podomers and podoms) and were immunophenotypically characterized by double immunopositivity for the CD34 and PDGFRa antigens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Indeed, coexpression of CD34 and PDGFRa has been widely observed in TC from different human organs [12,43,44]. It also appears that the TC immunophenotype may vary among systems and that different TC subtypes likely playing differential roles may coexist within the same organ [45][46][47][48][49]. For instance, TC may express either CD34, PDGFRa or c-kit/CD117 in some human organs, such as the heart, while they are CD34 + /PDGFRa + and c-kit-negative in others, such as the gastrointestinal tract [25,[43][44][45]47].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study

Marini

Mencucci

Rosa

et al. 2017

J Cellular Molecular Medi

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Telocytes (TC) are typically defined as cells with telopodes by their ultrastructural features. Their presence was reported in the interstitium of various organs in vertebrates, including humans. However, no study has yet described the presence of TC in the human eye and in particular, within the stromal compartment of the cornea. To address this issue, samples of normal and pathologic (keratoconic) human corneas were tested by immunohistochemistry for CD34, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and c‐kit/CD117 or examined by transmission electron microscopy. We found that TC coexpressing CD34 and PDGFRα were distributed throughout the whole normal corneal stroma with different TC subtypes being distinguishable on the basis of the expression of the stemness marker c‐kit (i.e. c‐kit‐positive and c‐kit‐negative TC subpopulations). Transmission electron microscopy examination confirmed the existence of spindle‐shaped and bipolar TC typically displaying two long and thin moniliform telopodes establishing intercellular contacts formed by gap junctions. Keratoconic corneas were characterized by ultrastructural damages and patchy loss of TC with an almost complete depletion of the c‐kit‐positive TC subpopulation. We propose that TC may contribute to the maintenance of corneal stromal homoeostasis and that, in particular, the c‐kit‐positive TC subtype might have stemness capacity participating in corneal regeneration and repair processes. Further studies are needed to clarify the differential roles of corneal TC subtypes as well as the possible therapeutic applications of TC in degenerative corneal disorders such as keratoconus.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study

Marini

Mencucci

Rosa

et al. 2017

J Cellular Molecular Medi

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“…A recently proposed theoretical model described TCs migration in chemical, metabolic and heat gradients [55]. Increased metabolism can be found in pathological cases such as tumors [148] or infections [149], but also in tissues with increased metabolic activity, e.g., striated muscle [150], cardiac muscle [151] or myometrium in different physiological [152] or pathological states [153].…”

Section: Calcium Signaling In Tcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TCs are not fibroblasts or mesenchymal stem cells [53,54]. Among the most important functions of the TCs, we can mention that of integrators of many intercellular signaling processes (for details see our latest review [55]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Calcium Signaling in Interstitial Cells: Focus on Telocytes

Radu

Banciu

et al. 2017

IJMS

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In this review, we describe the current knowledge on calcium signaling pathways in interstitial cells with a special focus on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs), and telocytes. In detail, we present the generation of Ca2+ oscillations, the inositol triphosphate (IP3)/Ca2+ signaling pathway and modulation exerted by cytokines and vasoactive agents on calcium signaling in interstitial cells. We discuss the physiology and alterations of calcium signaling in interstitial cells, and in particular in telocytes. We describe the physiological contribution of calcium signaling in interstitial cells to the pacemaking activity (e.g., intestinal, urinary, uterine or vascular pacemaking activity) and to the reproductive function. We also present the pathological contribution of calcium signaling in interstitial cells to the aortic valve calcification or intestinal inflammation. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge of the role played by calcium signaling in telocytes in the uterine, cardiac and urinary physiology, and also in various pathologies, including immune response, uterine and cardiac pathologies.

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CD34⁺ stromal cells/telocytes and their role in mouse lung development: Light microscopy, immunofluorescence, ultrastructural and scanning electron microscopy evidence

Dama,

Xue,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Cell Biology International

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Telocytes (TCs), a novel type of mesenchymal or interstitial cell with specific, very long and thin cellular prolongations, have been found in various mammalian organs and have potential biological functions. However, their existence during lung development is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the existence, morphological features, and role of CD34+ SCs/TCs in mouse lungs from foetal to postnatal life using primary cell culture, double immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The immunofluorescence double staining profiles revealed positive expression of CD34 and PDGFR‐α, Sca‐1 or VEGFR‐3, and the expression of these markers differed among the age groups during lung development. Intriguingly, in the E18.5 stage of development, along with the CD34+ SCs/TCs, haematopoietic stem cells and angiogenic factors were also significantly increased in number compared with those in the E14.5, E16.5, P0 and P7. Subsequently, TEM confirmed that CD34+ SCs/TCs consisted of a small cell body with long telopodes (Tps) that projected from the cytoplasm. Tps consisted of alternating thin and thick segments known as podomers and podoms. TCs contain abundant endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and secretory vesicles and establish close connections with neighbouring cells. Furthermore, SEM revealed characteristic features, including triangular, oval, spherical, or fusiform cell bodies with extensive cellular prolongations, depending on the number of Tps. Our findings provide evidence for the existence of CD34+ SCs/TCs, which contribute to vasculogenesis, the formation of the air‒blood barrier, tissue organization during lung development and homoeostasis.

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Telocytes heterogeneity: From cellular morphology to functional evidence

Cited by 71 publications

References 150 publications

Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study

Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study

Calcium Signaling in Interstitial Cells: Focus on Telocytes

CD34⁺ stromal cells/telocytes and their role in mouse lung development: Light microscopy, immunofluorescence, ultrastructural and scanning electron microscopy evidence

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Telocytes heterogeneity: From cellular morphology to functional evidence

Cited by 71 publications

References 150 publications

Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study

Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study

Calcium Signaling in Interstitial Cells: Focus on Telocytes

CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes and their role in mouse lung development: Light microscopy, immunofluorescence, ultrastructural and scanning electron microscopy evidence

Contact Info

Product

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CD34⁺ stromal cells/telocytes and their role in mouse lung development: Light microscopy, immunofluorescence, ultrastructural and scanning electron microscopy evidence