Increased telocytes involved in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in rat carotid artery balloon injury

Abstract

Telocytes (TCs) are a novel type of interstitial cells that are thought to be involved in tissue regeneration and repair. However, the possible roles of TCs in vascular diseases remain unclear. In this study, we used a rat model of carotid artery balloon injury (CABI) to study the changes and potential roles of vascular TCs after vascular injury. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and CD34/vimentin immunolabeling were used to identify and quantify TCs in normal and injured carotid arteries. Quantitative immunofluorescence analysis revealed that, compared with the sham group, the number of TCs in the CABI group increased from 7.

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

“…Another factor infl uencing vascular regeneration is VEGF, which has a supplementary role in VSMCs proliferation. Different kinds of miRNAs such as miR-221 and miR146a may also affect these processes, however, currently there is no evidence supporting the involvement of TCs in secretion of above mentioned molecules (17). Although, the role of TCs in vascular repair is still not clearly described.…”

“…Immunofl uorescence staining is a useful method in this case (17). The most appropriate marker used for differentiating TCs from those cells is CD34.…”

“…So far, immunohistochemical markers used for identifi cation of vascular TCs include CD34, vimentin and PDGFR-β (17,45). Expression of c-kit (CD117), along with Nanog and Sca-1 (which are histochemical markers characteristic for stem cells) was also confi rmed in vascular telocytes (17).…”

“…Expression of c-kit (CD117), along with Nanog and Sca-1 (which are histochemical markers characteristic for stem cells) was also confi rmed in vascular telocytes (17). However, detailed antigen profi le of vascular TCs, especially depending on their developmental stage, is yet to be described.…”

“…Vascular injury leads to excessive proliferation of TCs, eventually leading to formation of neointima, which may result in re-stenosis of the vessel (17). Owing to that fact, further studies concentrated on functions of TCs in pathophysiological vascular repair may help control various diseases deriving from vascular injury and VSMCs hyperplasia, for example atherosclerosis (17).…”