Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
09:06
Isolation of Stem-like Cells from 3-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures
Published on: December 13, 2019
Structural and ultrastructural evidence for telocytes in prostate stroma.
Lara S Corradi1, Mariana M Jesus, Ricardo A Fochi
1Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|February 8, 2013
Summary
Researchers confirmed the presence of telocytes (TCs), a novel stromal cell type, in gerbil prostate tissue. These cells, identified via microscopy, possess unique long, thin processes and are located in the subepithelial and smooth muscle areas.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- The prostate stroma is a complex microenvironment containing various cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components.
- Fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells (SMC) are primary sources of ECM synthesis.
- Telocytes (TCs) are a recently identified stromal cell type with distinct morphological characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and confirm the presence of telocytes (TCs) within the dynamic stromal compartment of gerbil prostate tissue.
- To provide morphological evidence for TCs in the prostate stroma.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
- Light microscopy for general tissue visualization.
- Immunohistochemistry to identify specific cell markers.
Main Results:
- Cells resembling telocytes (TCs) were identified in the gerbil prostatic stroma.
- These cells exhibited characteristic features: small cell bodies, long and thin moniliform processes, caveolae, and limited cytoplasm.
- TCs were predominantly found in the subepithelial regions and at the periphery of SMC layers, with observed close contacts between TC podomers.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first morphological evidence for the presence of telocytes (TCs) in the gerbil prostate stroma.
- The findings suggest TCs play a role in the complex microenvironment of the prostate.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific functions of TCs in prostate tissue.
