title: Telocytes in Cardiac Protection.
abstract: Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct type of stromal cells with extremely thin and long prolongations called telopodes (Tps). TCs have been ubiquitously reported in almost all tissues and organs across species including heart. TCs are distinct from fibroblasts as evidenced by ultrastructural characteristics, immunohistochemistry features, gene profiles, proteome features, and miRNA signatures. By means of heterocellular junctions and extracellular vesicles, TCs may be able to regulate cardiac stem cells, angiogenesis, and anti-fibrosis. Therapeutic effects of cardiac TCs in myocardium infarction have been demonstrated. Cardiac TCs could be a source of cardiac repair and protection.
authors.forename: Siyi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Siyi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yalong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yihua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bei
authors.affiliation: Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Experimental Center of Life Sciences and Innovative Drug Research Center, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 333 Nan Chen Road, Shanghai 200444, China. junjiexiao@shu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067128:Extracellular Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000067170:Telocytes / Q000166:cytology*