Title:Telocytes in Cardiac Protection
VOLUME: 11 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):Siyi Fu, Hui Zhu, Siyi Li, Yalong Wang, Yihua Bei and Junjie Xiao
Affiliation:Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Experimental Center of Life Sciences and Innovative Drug Research Center, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 333 Nan Chen Road, Shanghai 200444, China.
Keywords:Cardiac telocytes, cardiac protection, cardiac stem cells, angiogenesis, fibrosis, regeneration.
Abstract:Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct type of stromal cells with extremely thin and long prolongations
called telopodes (Tps). TCs have been ubiquitously reported in almost all tissues and organs
across species including heart. TCs are distinct from fibroblasts as evidenced by ultrastructural characteristics,
immunohistochemistry features, gene profiles, proteome features, and miRNA signatures. By
means of heterocellular junctions and extracellular vesicles, TCs may be able to regulate cardiac stem
cells, angiogenesis, and anti-fibrosis. Therapeutic effects of cardiac TCs in myocardium infarction
have been demonstrated. Cardiac TCs could be a source of cardiac repair and protection.
