Telocytes role during the postnatal development of the Mongolian gerbil jejunum

Abstract

Telocytes are recently categorised CD34-positive interstitial cells that comprise the cells which were previously called interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs). These were detected in the stroma of various organs such as the prostate, lungs, mammary glands, liver, gallbladder, and jejunum, among others. Several functions have been proposed for telocytes, such as a supportive role in smooth muscle contraction and immune function in adult organs, and tissue organisation and paracrine signalling during development, as well as others. In the jejunum, little is known about the function of telocytes in the adult organ, or is there any information about when these cells develop or if they could have an auxiliary role in the development of the jejunum. The present study employed histological, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques on histological sections of the jejunum of Mongolian gerbil pups on two different days of postnatal development of the jejunum, covering the maturation period of the organ. By immunolabelling for CD34, it was observed that telocytes are already present in the jejunum during the first week of postnatal life and exist in close association with the developing muscularis mucosae, which are therefore TGFβ1-positive. The telocytes are still present at the end of the first month of life, and a portion of them present co-localisation with c-Kit. Fibroblast-like cells, which are exclusively c-Kit-positive, are also observed, which may indicate the presence of interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs). Finally, it can be hypothesised that a portion of the telocytes may give rise to ICCs, which are c-Kit-positive but CD34 negative.

Telocytes are associated with tissue remodeling and angiogenesis during the postlactational involution of the mammary gland in gerbils

“…The presence of CD34, which is a transmembrane glycoprotein on the surface of immature hematopoietic cells, has been known for a long time (Wood, May, Healy, Enver, & Morriss‐Kay, 1997). But, in addition to hematopoietic cells, there is evidence that CD34 is present on the surface of a series of adult progenitor cells in several organs (Sidney, Branch, Dunphy, Dua, & Hopkinson, 2014).…”

Telocytes in the Normal and Pathological Peripheral Nervous System

“…The digestive tract (above the enteric wall) is an ideal anatomic region to understand TC characteristics, arrangement and functions [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 25 , 33 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. This adequacy for the study of TCs (specifically in the peripheral nervous system) is further increased in the neurogenic hyperplasias of the appendix and gallbladder, and the related processes.…”

Low‐dose in utero exposure to finasteride promotes developmental changes in both male and female gerbil prostates

“…The sections of gerbil ventral prostates of males and of the single prostatic lobe of females of both the F100 and control groups were subjected to immunohistochemistry for the detection of PCNA, ERα, and AR according to the methodology performed by Zani et al The antibodies were used (in a dilution of 1:100) for the detection of PCNA (mouse monoclonal IgG2a, PC10, SC‐ 56, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), ERα (rabbit polyclonal IgG, MC‐20, sC‐542, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), and AR (rabbit polyclonal IgG, C‐20, sc‐816, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, California). As a secondary antibody, the rabbit anti‐Mouse IgG (Post Primary, Novolink, Leica Biosystems, Buffalo Grove, Illinois) and later with anti‐rabbit Poly‐HRP‐IgG (Polymer, Novolink, Leica Biosystems, Buffalo Grove, Illinois).…”