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Telocytes in the hearts of Saanen goats
Sedef Selviler-Sizer1, Yonca Betil Kabak2, Murat Kabak1
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Insights
Researchers identified telocytes, a type of interstitial cell, in Saanen goat hearts. Using advanced microscopy and staining, they confirmed these cells possess unique ultrastructural and immunophenotypic characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Telocytes are recently identified interstitial cells with crucial roles in various organs, including the heart.
- Distinguishing telocytes from other interstitial cells requires precise ultrastructural and immunophenotypic analysis.
- The presence and characteristics of telocytes in Saanen goat hearts remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of telocytes in healthy Saanen goat heart tissues.
- To differentiate telocytes from other interstitial cell types using advanced imaging and molecular markers.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for ultrastructural analysis of interstitial cells.
- Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining for specific cell markers (CD34, c-kit/CD117, vimentin).
- Double immunofluorescence staining (CD34/c-kit, CD34/vimentin) to confirm telocyte identity.
Main Results:
- SEM revealed oval/round cells with telopodes and podoms, consistent with telocyte morphology.
- Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for CD34, c-kit, and vimentin in heart muscle and valves.
- Double immunofluorescence confirmed telocytes in the right atrium and aortic valve, characterized as CD34+/c-kit+ and CD34+/vimentin+, distinct from CD34-/vimentin+ fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- This study provides definitive evidence for the presence of telocytes in the hearts of Saanen goats.
- The findings highlight the utility of combined SEM and specific immunophenotyping for accurate telocyte identification.
- The characterized telocytes in Saanen goat hearts offer a basis for future research into their function in cardiovascular health and disease.
Abstract:
Telocytes, new interstitial cells that have received significant attention in recent years, have been detected in many organs, including the heart. The distinction between telocytes and other interstitial cells can only be made based on their ultrastructural characterization and immunophenotypic features. In this study, we examined the interstitial cells in the healthy heart tissues of Saanen goats to determine whether they are telocytes or not, by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining methods. The SEM revealed oval and round telocytes with two to four telopodes. Some telopodes also had podoms. The staining for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence methods used for CD34, c-kit (CD117), and vimentin antibodies. Positive cells were detected in the heart muscle and heart valves by immunohistochemical staining. As these antigens can also be expressed by other non-telocyte cells, we used double immunofluorescence staining with CD34/c-kit and CD34/vimentin antibodies to identify true telocytes. Telocytes were determined in the right atrium and aortic valve. While telocytes were CD34+/c-kit+ and CD34+/vimentin+, fibroblasts were CD34-/vimentin+. These results confirm the presence of telocytes in the hearts of Saanen goats.
