Telocytes in the female reproductive system: An overview of up-to-date knowledge.

Telocytes in the female reproductive system: An overview of up-to-date knowledge. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2018 Mar 13;: Authors: Janas P, Kucybała I, Radoń-Pokracka M, Huras H Abstract Telocytes are emerging cell population localized in the stroma of numerous organs, characterized by a distinctive morphology - small cell body with very long, slender prolongations, termed telopodes. Those cells can be found in the whole female reproductive system: in the vagina, uterus, oviducts and ovaries, mammary glands and also in the placenta. In our review, we aim at complete and transparent revision of the current knowledge of telocytes' localization and function, enriched by the analysis of the possible future direction of development of their clinical applications. The function of telocytes in the reproductive system has not been fully elucidated yet; however, many researchers point at their role in the regulation of local microenvironment, myogenic contractile mechanism, bioelectrical signaling, immunomodulation and regulation of blood flow. Additionally, previous research suggests that telocytes might act as sex hormone level sensors and are connected with pregnancy maintenance. As the morphology and number of those cells change under pathological conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, endometriosis and ovarian failure, there is a chance that they may contribute to therapy of abovementioned conditions. The impact of telocytes on stem cells and angi...
Source: Clinical Breast Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Adv Clin Exp Med Source Type: research