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Yang D, Yuan L, Chen S, Zhang Y, Ma X, Xing Y, Song J. Morphological and histochemical identification of telocytes in adult yak epididymis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5295. [PMID: 37002252 PMCID: PMC10066225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs) are a newly discovered type of mesenchymal cell that are closely related to the tissue's internal environment. The study aimed to investigate the morphological identification of TCs in the epididymis of adult yak and their role in the local microenvironment. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blotting were used to analyze the cell morphology of TCs. The results showed that there are two types of TCs in the epididymal stroma of yak by TEM; one type is distributed around the capillaries with full cell bodies, longer TPs, and a large number of secretory vesicles; the other is distributed outside the basement membrane with irregularly long, striped, large nuclei and short telopodes (TPs). In addition, these TCs formed complex TC cell networks through TPs with epididymal interstitial capillaries and basal fibroblasts. TCs often appear near the capillaries and basement membrane by special staining. The surface markers of TCs (CD34, vimentin, and CD117) were positively expressed in the epididymal stroma and epithelium by immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence co-expression of vimentin + CD34 and CD117 + CD34 was observed on the surface of TCs. The trends in the mRNA and protein expression of TCs surface markers revealed expression was highest in the caput epididymis. In summary, this is first report of TCs in the epididymis of yak, and two phenotypes of TCs were observed. The existence and distribution characteristics of TCs in the epididymis of plateau yaks provide important clues for further study of the adaptation to reproductive function in the plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Reproductive Regulation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Ligang Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Reproductive Regulation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
| | - Shaoyu Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Reproductive Regulation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Xiaojie Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yindi Xing
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Juanjuan Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
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Meng X, Ding B, Zhu Z, Ma Q, Wang Q, Feng Y, Liu Y, Wang J, Yang P. Evaluation of the Plasticity of Novel Regulatory Cells-Telocytes-in the Gonad of the Male Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis) Associated with Seasonal Reproductive Activity. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2022; 28:1-9. [PMID: 36204971 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927622012302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Telocyte (TC)—a new type of interstitial cell with long telopodes, can form cellular junctions with various tissues or cells to participate in the regulation of multitudes of physiological activities and diseases. This study aimed to characterize the morphology, molecular features, and potential functions of hormone regulation in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) testis TCs at different reproductive stages by histological evaluation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and transmission electron microscopy. During hibernation, TCs were widely distributed in the interstitial tissue. In contrast, during reproductive activity, TCs were noted to be in close proximity with peritubular myoid cells surrounding the seminiferous tubule. Moreover, formed cell–cell junctions were observed between TCs and PTMs. The results of IHC and IF showed that the immunophenotype of testicular TCs in hibernating Chinese soft-shelled turtles is CD34+Vimentin−, while the reproductive telopodes (Tps) show low expression of vimentin. The androgen receptor is expressed in Tps of TCs of testis during hibernation. Our results showed also that TCs in seasonal breeding animals regulate the activity of neighboring cells by releasing extracellular microvesicles (EXMVs), thus influencing the activity of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Consideration of our novel and interesting results indicate that the whole area warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfei Meng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Baitao Ding
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhaoxuan Zhu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qianhui Ma
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yongchao Feng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yue Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jia Wang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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Zhu X, Wang Q, Pawlicki P, Wang Z, Pawlicka B, Meng X, Feng Y, Yang P. Telocytes and Their Structural Relationships With the Sperm Storage Tube and Surrounding Cell Types in the Utero-Vaginal Junction of the Chicken. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:852407. [PMID: 35400114 PMCID: PMC8987988 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.852407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs) are a new type of mesenchymal cells that have been discovered recently in many organs and tissues. However, studies of TCs in the avian reproductive system are still at the beginning. Chickens are one of the world's most popular domesticated animals, providing inexpensive but valuable proteins and nutrients from chickens and eggs to nourish the human bodies. Chickens have important scientific value; thus, understanding the reproductive system regulations seems to be important. The utero-vaginal junction is involved in the regulation of sperm storage. The sperm storage tube (SST) in the utero-vaginal junction stores sperm. The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of TCs in the utero-vaginal junction of the chicken, and their structural relationships with the sperm storage tube and surrounding cell types. We studied the morphology, ultrastructure, and immune characterization of TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Zhu
- College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Piotr Pawlicki
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ziyu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bernadetta Pawlicka
- Laboratory of Genetics and Evolutionism, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Xiangfei Meng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongchao Feng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Ping Yang
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