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Life
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Structural and Functional Characteristics of Telocytes and Interstitial Cajal cells
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Structural and Functional Characteristics of Telocytes and Interstitial Cajal cells

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (17 December 2021) | Viewed by 11099

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Mugurel Constantin Rusu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department I, Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, RO-020021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: immunohistochemistry; electronic microscopy; stem niches; molecular biology; structural biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Telocytes were initially regarded as interstitial Cajal cells and the first set of studies dealing with such cells applied them as identification markers for interstitial Cajal cells. Further, telocytes were promoted as a distinctive cell type, with peculiar prolongations termed ‘telopodes’. However, since the various markers have only been applied in light microscopy, the distinction of telopodes on slides remains subjective. This Special Issue aims to be a forum in which pros and cons could be brought to bear to support the molecular individuality of telocytes. The “birth” of telocytes could be disputed against the peculiarities of interstitial Cajal cells. Moreover, submissions discussing interstitial Cajal cells, as well as telocytes, as members of stem niches are strongly encouraged. We also welcome reviews, case-report-driven reviews, and original research studies that clarify the limits of the actual standards of identification of these cells.

Dr. Mugurel Constantin Rusu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • interstitial Cajal cells
  • stem cells
  • telocytes
  • immunohistochemistry
  • c-kit
  • CD34

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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8 pages, 1710 KiB  
Communication
Lineage Tracing of FOXL1+ Cells in the Tunica Muscularis Suggests Mutual Origin for Telocytes and Smooth Muscle Cells
by Moriya Shushan and Michal Shoshkes-Carmel
Life 2022, 12(2), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020176 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2352
Abstract
We recently identified a FOXL1+ intestinal subepithelial network of telocytes (TCs) without which epithelial stem and progenitor cells cannot proliferate and support regeneration. In addition to FOXL1 lineage cell distribution along the intestinal epithelium, we also observed their presence within the muscle layers. [...] Read more.
We recently identified a FOXL1+ intestinal subepithelial network of telocytes (TCs) without which epithelial stem and progenitor cells cannot proliferate and support regeneration. In addition to FOXL1 lineage cell distribution along the intestinal epithelium, we also observed their presence within the muscle layers. Here, we characterized FOXL1+ lineage cells along the muscle layers of the duodenum in order to understand their progeny and relation to interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the previously reported PDGFRa+ TCs. Using a FOXL1-Cre transgenic line in conjunction with genetic lineage labeling using the Rosa26-mTmG allele, in which Cre-marked cells produce a membrane-targeted version of green fluorescent protein (GFP), we found that within the muscle layers FOXL1 lineage GFP+ cells had two main progeny; (i) elongated multinucleated SMA+ SMCs, intermingled in parallel or perpendicular to muscle fibers. (ii) TCs displaying small cell body with multiple cell processes, expressing PDGFRa and CD34. These findings may suggest a mutual origin for TCs and SMCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural and Functional Characteristics of Telocytes and Interstitial Cajal cells)
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10 pages, 2831 KiB  
Article
Telocytes and Lymphatics of the Human Colon
by Mihai Zurzu, Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu, Laurențiu Mogoantă, Stelian Pantea and Mugurel Constantin Rusu
Life 2021, 11(10), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11101001 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2015
Abstract
Background: Telocytes (TCs) are a peculiar morphological type of stromal cells. They project long and moniliform telopodes, visible on various bidimensional sections. Originally regarded as “interstitial Cajal-like cells”, gastrointestinal TCs were CD34+. Further double-labelling studies found that colon TCs are negative for the [...] Read more.
Background: Telocytes (TCs) are a peculiar morphological type of stromal cells. They project long and moniliform telopodes, visible on various bidimensional sections. Originally regarded as “interstitial Cajal-like cells”, gastrointestinal TCs were CD34+. Further double-labelling studies found that colon TCs are negative for the expressions of the PDGFR-α and α-SMA. However, the TCs in colon were not distinguished specifically from endothelial cells (ECs), vascular or lymphatic. A combinational approach is important for accurate TC identification. Hence, we designed an immunohistochemical study of human colon to check whether ECs and CD34+ TCs express different markers. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed on archived paraffin-embedded samples of human colon (nine cases) for the following markers: CD31, CD34, CD117/c-kit and D2-40 (podoplanin). Results: A distinctive population of CD34+ TCs was found coating the myenteric ganglia. However, also perivascular cells and vascular ECs were CD34+. c-kit expression was equally found in interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs) and perivascular cells. The CD34 TCs did not express c-kit. As they were equally CD31- and D2-40- they were assessed as different from ECs. Conclusions: Testing specific markers of ECs, vascular and lymphatic, in the same tissues in which CD34+ TCs are found, is much more relevant than to identify TCs by transmission electron microscopy alone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural and Functional Characteristics of Telocytes and Interstitial Cajal cells)
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Review

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13 pages, 683 KiB  
Review
Telocytes in the Female Reproductive System: Up-to-Date Knowledge, Challenges and Possible Clinical Applications
by Martin Klein, Mária Csöbönyeiová, Ľuboš Danišovič, Lenka Lapides and Ivan Varga
Life 2022, 12(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020267 - 10 Feb 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5959
Abstract
From their initial description in 2005 to this day, telocytes (TCs) have been described in the ovary, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary gland, and placenta. Their morphological features, immunophenotype, physiological functions, and roles in disease have been thoroughly documented in both animal models [...] Read more.
From their initial description in 2005 to this day, telocytes (TCs) have been described in the ovary, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary gland, and placenta. Their morphological features, immunophenotype, physiological functions, and roles in disease have been thoroughly documented in both animal models and human subjects. TCs, with their extremely long cytoplasmic processes called telopodes, play a pivotal role in the morphological and functional interconnection of all the components of the interstitial compartment, but also with constituents of the parenchyma. Although there is no specific immunohistochemical marker for their identification, the most cited are CD 117, CD 34, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), vimentin, and specific markers typical for the female reproductive system (FRS)—estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR). This immunophenotype provides important clues to their physiological roles. Their main functions include the regulation of hormone-dependent processes, intercellular signaling, immune surveillance, microenvironmental maintenance, and the nursing of stem cells. In a situation where TCs are functionally or morphologically decimated, many disease entities may develop, including premature ovarian failure, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, preeclampsia, or even breast cancer. The common denominator of many of these conditions is that their etiopathogenesis is either partially known or completely obscure. Even though the exact role of TCs in these conditions is yet to be revealed, multiple lines of research indicate that their future clinical application may enrich diagnostic-therapeutic strategies of countless conditions. TCs are also heavily debated in terms of their possible use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Some of the concepts related to TC research are strongly substantiated by experimental data, while others are highly speculative. Only future research endeavors will clearly distinguish dead-end lines of research from genuine contributions to the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural and Functional Characteristics of Telocytes and Interstitial Cajal cells)
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