Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
Lawrence M. Popescu
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Cell Sci Ther
We have recently described a novel type of interstitial cells ? Telocytes (TCs) - in several cavitary and non-cavitary organs of humans and mammalians (see www.telocytes.com). TCshave a small cell body withspecifi c (unique) prolongations that we named telopodes (Tps). Th erefore, the simplest defi nition of Telocytes (TCs) is: cells with Tps. A TC have 1-5 extremely long Tps, (tens up to hundreds of μm), with moniliform aspect - alternating podoms (dilated segments) and podomers, thin segmentsbelow the resolving power of light microscopy. Podoms accommodate mitochondria, ER and caveolae, which areinvolved in calcium movements. Tps have a dichotomous branching pattern, making a 3D network due to homo- and heterocelular junctions. TCs release shed vesicle and/or exosomes, thus sending macromolecular signals to neighbor cells and thereby modifying their transcriptional activity, eventually. We identifi ed by transmission electron microscopy cardiac stem-cell niches in subepicardium, pulmonary subepithelial nichesin the bronchiolar tree, as well as non-satellite (resident) progenitor cell niches , among skeletal muscle fi bers. In all the three types, we identifi ed progenitor cells in close contacts with TCs and Tps. Moreover, electron microscope tomography revealed complex nanoscopic junctions between TCs and resident progenitor cells. Apparently, Tps provide tracks for the ?evolution? (sliding) of precursor cells towards mature specifi c cell types, and their integration into organ microscopic architecture. TCs via their paracrine secretion (including microRNAs) produce an adequate microenvironment for precursor cells. Lastbut not least, TCs are directly and indirectlyinvolved in neo-angiogenesis aft er (experimental) myocardial infarction.
L.M. Popescu, MD, PhD, Dr. h.c.mult., is currently Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Medicine, Bucharest, and Head of the National Institute of Pathology Romania. He is President Elect of the Federation of European Academies of Medicine, and of the International Society for AdaptiveMedicine. With over 100 scienti fi c articles in peer-review journals, he is cited more than 1500 times. He has a Hirsch Index of about 30. He is Editor-in-Chief (and founder) of the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (Wiley/ Blackwell), with a 5-year IF of 5. He is credited with the discovery of Telocytes.