Telocytes (interstitial Cajal-like cells) in human Fallopian tubes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Telocytes represent a relatively newly discovered population of cells found within the various tissues and organs, including Fallopian tubes. It is presumed that telocytes could serve as a sensor of hormone levels or regulate activity of muscle peristaltic movement. METHODS: Tissue sections from anatomically different parts of Fallopian tubes of 48 women (age 48.8 ± 9.1) were stained for the expression of fi ve different antigens: c-kit (CD117), CD34, vimentin, podoplanin (D2-40) and Dog-1. RESULTS: Telocytes form a network associated with the smooth muscle cells. From the mentioned antibodies, only anti-c-kit (CD117) seems to be relatively selective specifi c to the telocytes, others react also with numerous other cells and tissue structures. Our results when using antibodies against podoplanin and Dog-1 are in dissonance with recent literature -with regards to our results, they are not suitable for detection of telocytes. CONCLUSION: Methods of immunohistochemistry are suitable for identifi cation of telocytes in Fallopian tubes. C-kit (CD117) antigens are useful for routine identifi cation of telocytes in histological sections. This antigen can be combined with CD34 or vimentin in cases of double staining immunohistochemistry (Tab. 1, Fig. 6, Ref. 44). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

New Description of Telocyte Sheaths in the Bovine Uterine Tube: An Immunohistochemical and Scanning Microscopic Study

“…Telocytes strongly expressed c-kit or CD117 adjacent to smooth muscle cells which are c-kit negative. Similar results are documented in telocytes of seminal vesicles in Soay ram [Abd-Elhafeez et al, 2017] and human uterine tubes [Urban et al, 2016]. Anti-c-kit (CD117) was reported to be relatively selective for the identification of telocytes in human uterine tubes [Urban et al, 2016].…”

“…Telocyte dysfunction was documented in tubal infertility. Therefore, telocyte destruction or dysfunction might provide a new explanation for dysregulated tubal transport leading to tubal infertility or tubal pregnancy [Urban et al, 2016].…”

“…Vimentin intermediate filament proteins are considered as nonspecific supportive proteins since they stains fibroblasts in connective tissue, endothelial cells in blood vessels, macrophages, cells of cartilage and bone, some vascular smooth muscle cells, and melanocytes [Ramaekers et al, 1983]. Urban et al [2016] clarified that not only telocytes are vimentin positive, but also fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and cytoplasmic surface-lining epithelial cells in the human uterine tube. Vimentin was expressed by telocytes in the bovine uterine tube.…”

“…Telocytes strongly expressed c-kit or CD117. c-kit, a protein transmembrane protein kinase receptor, is essential for the function of telocytes [Urban et al, 2016]. c-kit tyrosine kinase is required for ICC maturation [Komur, 2012].…”

The functional morphology and role of cardiac telocytes in myocardium regeneration

“…ICLCs are also part of the cellular microenvironment of some female and male reproductive organs such as D r a f t the uterus, uterine tubes, mammary gland, placenta, or prostate. The function of ICLCs in reproductive organs varies and includes sensing sex hormone levels, regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis in the mammary gland, or monitoring blood flow through chorionic villi of the placenta (Varga et al 2016). However, in general, details of their functions are lacking.…”