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Telocytes and lymphatic endothelial cells: Two immunophenotypically distinct and spatially close cell entities
Irene Rosa1, Mirca Marini1, Eleonora Sgambati2
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Acta Histochemica
|March 3, 2020
Summary
Telocytes (TCs) are distinct stromal cells, identified by CD34 and PDGFRα markers. They are spatially close to lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), marked by PDPN and LYVE-1, suggesting a role in lymphatic function.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Histology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Telocytes (TCs) are stromal cells with unique long, thin cell processes called telopodes.
- TCs are often identified by CD34 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) expression.
- Distinguishing TCs from lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) can be challenging due to similar morphologies and shared markers like CD34.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial organization and relationship between TCs and lymphatic vessels in human tissues.
- To clarify the distinct cellular markers for TCs and LECs using double immunofluorescence.
- To explore potential functional interactions between TCs and LECs.
Main Methods:
- Double immunofluorescence staining on human tissue samples.
- Simultaneous detection of TC markers (CD34 or PDGFRα) and LEC markers (podoplanin [PDPN] or LYVE-1).
- Morphological analysis using electron microscopy and light microscopy.
Main Results:
- TCs were consistently identified as CD34+/PDGFRα+/PDPN-/LYVE-1-.
- LECs were consistently identified as CD34-/PDGFRα-/PDPN+/LYVE-1+.
- TCs and LECs are distinct cell types that are closely located in the connective tissue.
Conclusions:
- TCs and LECs are definitively separate cell entities.
- The telopodes of TCs intimately surround the abluminal side of LECs.
- TCs may play a regulatory role in lymphatic capillary function, warranting further investigation.
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