Abstract
Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct stromal cell type described in many organs. The present study investigated the existence of TCs within the efferent ductules in camel and the changes that occur in their morphology and activity during active and inactive reproductive seasons. TCs in the camel had a cell body and multiple telopodes (TPs), and most TCs had indented nuclei that exhibited prominent intranucleolar chromatin. TCs exhibited seasonal differences which were evaluated by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry (IHC), Transimition electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of TCs in camel efferent ductules has been confirmed by CD34 positive immunostaing. In addition to the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which was stronger in the summer season. TCs exhibited stronger immunoreactivity for progesterone and oestrogen alpha receptors (ESR1) in the spring than in the summer. In addition, TCs showed strong positive immunostaining for both vimentin and androgen receptor (AR). Several ultrastructural changes were observed in TCs during the two seasons. TPs in the summer season had delicate ramifications whereas, in the spring, TPs displayed fine arborization and became more corrugated. TCs acquired signs of exaggerated secretory activities in the spring; TPs became expanded and packed with secretory vesicles. Thus, we conclude that, hormonal alterations during the reproductive cycle impact the morphology and secretory behavior of TCs.
Highlights
Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct stromal cell type described in many organs
The present study was performed on efferent ductules collected from 10 clinically healthy mature camels (Camelus dromedarius) during the spring season (March-April) and during the summer season, which represents the inactive period (July-August)
The present study aimed to identify TCs in the camel efferent ductules and investigate the morphological changes of TCs and their secretory behavior in response to seasonal variation
Summary
Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct stromal cell type described in many organs. Telocytes (TCs) represent a distinct type[1,2,3,4] of stromal cells They establish a cellular communication system and play a central role in the functional regulation of different types of cells and structures[5]. TCs have excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors[12] The role of these cells in organ regeneration has been studied in several organs, including the heart, lung, skeletal muscle, skin, meninges and choroid plexus, eye, liver, uterus, and urinary system[13]. TCs exhibit various forms of heterocellular contacts, including minute junctions such as point contacts, nanocontacts, planar contacts and cell contacts with an intermembrane distance, allowing macromolecules to interact[20]. The paracrine functions of TCs depend on molecular transfer through extracellular vesicles; exosomes, ectosomes and multivesicular vesicles[6,22,23]
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