title: Electron microscopy of human fascia lata: focus on telocytes.
abstract: From the histological point of view, fascia lata is a dense connective tissue. Although extracellular matrix is certainly the most predominant fascia's feature, there are also several cell populations encountered within this structure. The aim of this study was to describe the existence and characteristics of fascia lata cell populations viewed through a transmission electron microscope. Special emphasis was placed on telocytes as a particular interstitial cell type, recently discovered in a wide variety of tissues and organs such as the heart, skeletal muscles, skin, gastrointestinal tract, uterus and urinary system. The conducted study confirmed the existence of a telocyte population in fascia lata samples. Those cells fulfil main morphological criteria of telocytes, namely, the presence of very long, thin cell processes (telopodes) extending from a relatively small cell body. Aside from telocytes, we have found fibroblasts, mast cells and cells with features of myofibroblastic differentiation. This is the first time it has been shown that telocytes exist in human fascia. Currently, the exact role of those cells within the fascia is unknown and definitely deserves further attention. One can speculate that fascia lata telocytes likewise telocytes in other organs may be involved in regeneration, homeostasis and intracellular signalling.
authors: Veterinary Clinic "Brynów", Katowice, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Dawidowicz
authors: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Sylwia
authors: S
authors: Szotek
authors: School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Matysiak
authors: School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors: Łukasz
authors: Ł
authors: Mielańczyk
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Maksymowicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000067170:Telocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000067617:Telopodes / Q000648:ultrastructure
keywords: fibroblasts; human fascia lata; mast cells; myofibroblasts; telocytes; transmission electron microscopy