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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
Structure of Cardiac Muscles01:13

Structure of Cardiac Muscles

Cardiac muscle, or myocardium, is a specialized type of muscle found exclusively in the heart. Its unique structural and functional characteristics enable the heart to perform its vital role of pumping blood throughout the body continuously and rhythmically. The cardiac muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, possess an endomysium and perimysium but do not have an epimysium.
Compared to skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle cells are small and mostly have a single nucleus. Additionally, they are usually...
Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...
Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...

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Isolation of Murine Intestinal Mesenchyme Resulting in a High Yield of Telocytes
06:35

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Published on: March 24, 2023

Cardiac telocytes - their junctions and functional implications.

Mihaela Gherghiceanu1, Laurentiu M Popescu

  • 1Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Advanced Studies, 'Victor Babeş' National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.

Cell and Tissue Research
|February 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Telocytes (TCs) form a cardiac network, connecting with various heart cells. This study reveals TCs integrate information from vascular, nervous, and immune systems, coordinating cardiac cell communication.

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Histology

Background:

  • Telocytes (TCs) are interstitial cells forming a cardiac network.
  • Previous research indicated TCs interact with cardiomyocytes and cardiac stem cells.
  • TCs establish 'stromal synapses' with immunoreactive cells in various organs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interstitial cell network of TCs in the human heart.
  • To identify the types of junctions formed by TCs with other cardiac cells.
  • To understand the integrative role of the cardiac TC network in intercellular communication.

Main Methods:

  • Electron Microscopy (EM)
  • Electron Microscope Tomography (ET)
  • Ultrastructural analysis of cell-cell junctions.

Main Results:

  • TCs form 'atypical' junctions with nearly all cell types in the human heart.
  • Identified various junction types between TCs (e.g., puncta adhaerentia minima) and with other cells (e.g., nanocontacts, stromal synapses).
  • TCs establish direct nanocontacts with Schwann cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes, integrating signals from multiple systems.

Conclusions:

  • The cardiac TC network integrates information from vascular, nervous, immune systems, stem cells, and cardiomyocytes.
  • TCs facilitate long-distance intercellular signaling coordination within the myocardial interstitium.
  • The cardiac TC network comprises homotropic (TC-TC) and heterotropic (TC-other cells) junctions.