Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of telocytes in human scalp tissue

This study was designed to characterize the location, morphology and ultrastructure of telocytes (TCs) in human scalp tissue. After obtaining approval for this study and informed consent from the patient, a scalp specimen was obtained. The distribution and morphology of TCs in human scalp tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and CD117/c-KIT, and the ultrastructure of TCs was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 revealed that TCs were located in the connective tissue of human scalp, and were concentrated around hair follicles (HFs), blood vessels, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and adipose lobules. Immunohistochemical staining of CD117 revealed that TCs were mainly located in the dermis of human scalp, surrounding the HFs and sweat glands. Under TEM, TCs were seen and confirmed by their special morphological features. These cells were spindle-shaped, had small cell bodies and long thin processes, and surrounded stem cell clusters in the bulge region of HFs. These results demonstrate that TCs in human scalp were positive for CD34 and CD117, and their strategic positioning surrounding stem cells suggests their possible involvement in local regeneration, remodeling and homeostasis of the skin.