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Marini M, Mencucci R, Rosa I, Favuzza E, Guasti D, Ibba-Manneschi L, Manetti M. Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:3602-3611. [PMID: 28714595 PMCID: PMC5706519 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Telocytes (TC) are typically defined as cells with telopodes by their ultrastructural features. Their presence was reported in the interstitium of various organs in vertebrates, including humans. However, no study has yet described the presence of TC in the human eye and in particular, within the stromal compartment of the cornea. To address this issue, samples of normal and pathologic (keratoconic) human corneas were tested by immunohistochemistry for CD34, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and c‐kit/CD117 or examined by transmission electron microscopy. We found that TC coexpressing CD34 and PDGFRα were distributed throughout the whole normal corneal stroma with different TC subtypes being distinguishable on the basis of the expression of the stemness marker c‐kit (i.e. c‐kit‐positive and c‐kit‐negative TC subpopulations). Transmission electron microscopy examination confirmed the existence of spindle‐shaped and bipolar TC typically displaying two long and thin moniliform telopodes establishing intercellular contacts formed by gap junctions. Keratoconic corneas were characterized by ultrastructural damages and patchy loss of TC with an almost complete depletion of the c‐kit‐positive TC subpopulation. We propose that TC may contribute to the maintenance of corneal stromal homoeostasis and that, in particular, the c‐kit‐positive TC subtype might have stemness capacity participating in corneal regeneration and repair processes. Further studies are needed to clarify the differential roles of corneal TC subtypes as well as the possible therapeutic applications of TC in degenerative corneal disorders such as keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Mencucci
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Favuzza
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Guasti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Radu BM, Banciu A, Banciu DD, Radu M, Cretoiu D, Cretoiu SM. Calcium Signaling in Interstitial Cells: Focus on Telocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020397. [PMID: 28208829 PMCID: PMC5343932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we describe the current knowledge on calcium signaling pathways in interstitial cells with a special focus on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs), and telocytes. In detail, we present the generation of Ca2+ oscillations, the inositol triphosphate (IP3)/Ca2+ signaling pathway and modulation exerted by cytokines and vasoactive agents on calcium signaling in interstitial cells. We discuss the physiology and alterations of calcium signaling in interstitial cells, and in particular in telocytes. We describe the physiological contribution of calcium signaling in interstitial cells to the pacemaking activity (e.g., intestinal, urinary, uterine or vascular pacemaking activity) and to the reproductive function. We also present the pathological contribution of calcium signaling in interstitial cells to the aortic valve calcification or intestinal inflammation. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge of the role played by calcium signaling in telocytes in the uterine, cardiac and urinary physiology, and also in various pathologies, including immune response, uterine and cardiac pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Mihaela Radu
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona 37134, Italy.
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91-95, Bucharest 050095, Romania.
| | - Adela Banciu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91-95, Bucharest 050095, Romania.
- Research Beyond Limits, Dimitrie Cantemir 15, Bucharest 040234, Romania.
- Engineering Faculty, Constantin Brancusi University, Calea Eroilor 30, Targu Jiu 210135, Romania.
| | - Daniel Dumitru Banciu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91-95, Bucharest 050095, Romania.
- Research Beyond Limits, Dimitrie Cantemir 15, Bucharest 040234, Romania.
| | - Mihai Radu
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona 37134, Italy.
- Department of Life and Environmental Physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului 30, P.O. Box MG-6, Magurele 077125, Romania.
| | - Dragos Cretoiu
- Division of Cell Biology and Histology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania.
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest 050096, Romania.
| | - Sanda Maria Cretoiu
- Division of Cell Biology and Histology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania.
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest 050096, Romania.
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Wang DC, Wang X. Systems heterogeneity: An integrative way to understand cancer heterogeneity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 64:1-4. [PMID: 27552921 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The concept of systems heterogeneity was firstly coined and explained in the Special Issue, as a new alternative to understand the importance and complexity of heterogeneity in cancer. Systems heterogeneity can offer a full image of heterogeneity at multi-dimensional functions and multi-omics by integrating gene or protein expression, epigenetics, sequencing, phosphorylation, transcription, pathway, or interaction. The Special Issue starts with the roles of epigenetics in the initiation and development of cancer heterogeneity through the interaction between permanent genetic mutations and dynamic epigenetic alterations. Cell heterogeneity was defined as the difference in biological function and phenotypes between cells in the same organ/tissue or in different organs, as well as various challenges, as exampled in telocytes. The single cell heterogeneity has the value of identifying diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets and clinical potential of single cell systems heterogeneity in clinical oncology. A number of signaling pathways and factors contribute to the development of systems heterogeneity. Proteomic heterogeneity can change the strategy and thinking of drug discovery and development by understanding the interactions between proteins or proteins with drugs in order to optimize drug efficacy and safety. The association of cancer heterogeneity with cancer cell evolution and metastasis was also overviewed as a new alternative for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Catherine Wang
- Minghang Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Minghang Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.
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