Potential roles of telocytes in lung diseases.

Abstract

Telocytes (TCs) are a unique type of interstitial cells with specific, extremely long prolongations named telopodes (Tps), as shown by immune-positive staining against CD34, c-kit and vimentin. They were found in many organs of mammals, with potential biological functions, including the trachea and lung, even though the exact function remains unclear. Here, we give a historical overview of the TCs research field and summarize the latest findings associated with TCs, with a special focus on the recent progress about TCs specific gene and protein profiles that has been made in understanding that TCs may play a potential, but important, role in the pathogenesis of lung diseases.

• Authors: Lin Shi, Nian Dong, Chengshui Chen, Xiangdong Wang
• Journal: Seminars in cell & developmental biology (Semin Cell Dev Biol) Vol. 55 Pg. 31-9 (07 2016) ISSN: 1096-3634 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26855021 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Topics

• Animals
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Humans
• Lung Diseases (pathology)
• Models, Biological
• Telocytes (metabolism, pathology)