A comprehensive guide to telocytes and their great potential in cardiovascular system

Abstract

Telocytes, a recently discovered type of interstitial cells, have a very distinctive morphology -the small cell body with long extensions, named telopodes. In our review, apart from introducing general aspects of telocytes, we focus on properties, functions and future potential of those cells in cardiovascular system. However, physiological functions of telocytes in cardiovascular system are still regarded as quite enigmatic. Previous studies claim that they play a role in organogenesis and regeneration, bioelectrical signalling, mechanoelectrical coupling, anti-oxidative protection, angiogenesis and regulation of blood fl ow. As well, they are presumably connected with the presence of blood-myocardium barrier and proper organisation of extracellular matrix. Moreover, there exists a signifi cant link between the quantity of telocytes in tissue and numerous cardiovascular diseases such as: myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies, systemic sclerosis, heart failure, atrial fi brillation, isolated atrial amyloidosis, myxomatous valve degeneration and hyperplastic consequences of vascular injury. Thanks to their unique properties, telocytes might be a breakthrough in treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as they may be effective in reversing effects of myocardial infarction. Telocytes also may play a major role in tissue engineering -they might be the key factor in creating stable and effi cient vascular network in larger synthetic tissues or organs (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 53). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Recently discovered interstitial cells termed telocytes: distinguishing cell-biological and histological facts from fictions

“…Some authors consider them the second longest processes in the human body after neuronal axons, with lengths of up to hundreds of micrometers (Cretoiu et al 2012). The cell body is usually described as either pear-shaped, spindle-shaped, triangular or even stellate, depending on the number of processes (Kucybala et al 2017). In contrast to their remarkable length, telocyte processes are only approximately 0.2 μm thick, which makes them undetectable using only a light microscope.…”

“…Therefore, it is advantageous to be familiar with the antigens that are typically expressed in these cell populations. Telocyte, fibroblast, pericyte and neuron positivity for the five antigens commonly used to detect telocytes was summarized and compared by Kucybala et al (2017). Detailed immunohistochemical profiling revealed that telocytes are positive for approximately ten additional antigens as well as the five most frequently used antigens (Aleksandrovych et al 2017).…”

Periostin normalizes levels of cardiac markers in rats with experimental isoproterenol cardiotoxicity

“…Also, myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women (1, 2). Previous reports have indicated that during ischemic injury, oxidative stress produced by generation of reactive oxygen species plays an important role in the development of MI (3,4). Several researchers have reported the signifi cant contribution of oxidative stress to the development of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic injury and MI (5,6).…”

The role of telocytes in myocardial remodeling and the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic heart failure after coronary artery bypass grafting

“…Уменьшение ОП Тц в миокарде у пациентов с неблагоприятным исходом КШ сопровождалось достоверным уменьшением трофического индекса и увеличением индекса Керногана, что косвенно может свидетельствовать об участии Тц в ангиогенезе. Данное предположение делают и другие исследователи в своих работах [18]. Manole C. G. с соавт.…”

“…Существует гипотеза, что Тц могут влиять на скорость и ритмичность генерации импульса в миокарде. Было показано, что уменьшение их количества может приводить к развитию аритмий [18]. Другой особенностью сердечных Тц является их мультифенотипичность.…”