Publication: Telocytes in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle interstitium: morphological and functional aspects
Authors
Marini, Mirca ; Rosa, Irene ; iIbba Mannesch, Lidia ; Manetti, Mirko
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Publisher
Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de BiologĂa Celular e HistologĂa
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DOI
DOI: 10.14670/HH-11-994
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs) represent a new distinct type
of cells found in the stromal compartment of many
organs, including the skeletal, cardiac and smooth
muscles. TCs are morphologically defined as interstitial
cells with a small cellular body from which arise very
long (up to hundreds of micrometers) and thin
moniliform processes (named telopodes) featuring the
alternation of slender segments (called podomers) and
small dilated portions (called podoms) accommodating
some organelles. Although these stromal cells are mainly
characterized by their ultrastructural traits, in the last
few years TCs have been increasingly studied for their
immunophenotypes, microRNA profiles, and gene
expression and proteomic signatures. By their longdistance spreading telopodes, TCs build a threedimensional network throughout the whole stromal
space and communicate with each other and neighboring
cells through homocellular and heterocellular junctions,
respectively. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests
that TCs may exert paracrine functions being able to
transfer genetic information and signaling molecules to
other cells via the release of different types of
extracellular vesicles. A close relationship between TCs
and stem/progenitor cell niches has also been described
in several organs. However, the specific functions of
TCs located in the muscle interstitium remain to be
unraveled. Here, we review the morphological and
possible functional aspects of TCs in skeletal, cardiac
and smooth muscle tissues. The potential involvement of
TCs in muscle tissue pathological changes and future
possibilities for targeting TCs as a novel promising
therapeutic strategy to foster muscle tissue regeneration
and repair are also discussed.
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Citation
Histology and Histopathology, Vol.33, nÂş11, (2018)
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