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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Methods for the Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Sinoatrial Node Myocytes from Adult Mice
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Telocytes in the human sinoatrial node.

Lubov B Mitrofanova1, Andrey N Gorshkov1,2, Petr V Konovalov1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|November 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Researchers discovered telocytes, a type of cell, within the sinoatrial node (SAN). These cells are more numerous centrally and contact pacemaker cells, suggesting a role in heart rhythm regulation.

Keywords:
confocal laser scanning microscopyelectron microscopyhuman sinoatrial nodeimmunohistochemistrytelocytes

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Histology

Background:

  • The sinoatrial node (SAN) is the heart's primary pacemaker, composed of pacemaker, transitional, and Purkinje-like cells.
  • Pacemaker cells, particularly centrally located ones, are often isolated by fibrous tissue, lacking direct contact with transitional cells.
  • The potential role of other cell types, such as telocytes, in SAN function remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of telocytes within the sinoatrial node.
  • To determine the distribution and cellular contacts of potential telocytes in the SAN.
  • To explore the expression of key markers, like HCN4, in these identified cells.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against HCN4, CD34, and S100 on 12 SAN specimens.
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with antibody combinations (CD34/S100, vimentin/S100, CD117).
  • Electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry with HCN4 immunogold labeling on additional specimens.

Main Results:

  • Cells with the immunophenotype of telocytes were identified within the SAN.
  • Telocytes were found to be more abundant in the center (20.3 ± 4.8 cells/HPF) compared to the periphery (10.8 ± 4.4 cells/HPF).
  • These telocytes exhibited close proximity to pacemaker cells and contractile cardiomyocytes and expressed HCN4.

Conclusions:

  • Telocytes are present in the sinoatrial node.
  • Their distribution and direct contact with pacemaker cells suggest a potential functional role in cardiac impulse generation.
  • The ultrastructural features align with telocytes previously observed in other organs.