title: Telocytes in regenerative medicine.
abstract: Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct type of interstitial cells characterized by a small cell body and extremely long and thin telopodes (Tps). The presence of TCs has been documented in many tissues and organs (go to http://www.telocytes.com). Functionally, TCs form a three-dimensional (3D) interstitial network by homocellular and heterocellular communication and are involved in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. As important interstitial cells to guide or nurse putative stem and progenitor cells in stem cell niches in a spectrum of tissues and organs, TCs contribute to tissue repair and regeneration. This review focuses on the latest progresses regarding TCs in the repair and regeneration of different tissues and organs, including heart, lung, skeletal muscle, skin, meninges and choroid plexus, eye, liver, uterus and urinary system. By targeting TCs alone or in tandem with stem cells, we might promote regeneration and prevent the evolution to irreversible tissue damage. Exploring pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods to enhance the growth of TCs would be a novel therapeutic strategy besides exogenous transplantation for many diseased disorders.
authors.affiliation: Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Experimental Center of Life Sciences, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yihua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bei
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Changqing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Experimental Center of Life Sciences, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D000067170:Telocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
keywords: interstitial cells; progenitor cells; regeneration; regenerative medicine; stem cells; telocytes