Abstract
Telocytes (TC) are typically defined as cells with telopodes by their ultrastructural features. Their presence was reported in the interstitium of various organs in vertebrates, including humans. However, no study has yet described the presence of TC in the human eye and in particular, within the stromal compartment of the cornea. To address this issue, samples of normal and pathologic (keratoconic) human corneas were tested by immunohistochemistry for CD34, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and c‐kit/CD117 or examined by transmission electron microscopy. We found that TC coexpressing CD34 and PDGFRα were distributed throughout the whole normal corneal stroma with different TC subtypes being distinguishable on the basis of the expression of the stemness marker c‐kit (i.e. c‐kit‐positive and c‐kit‐negative TC subpopulations). Transmission electron microscopy examination confirmed the existence of spindle‐shaped and bipolar TC typically displaying two long and thin moniliform telopodes establishing intercellular contacts formed by gap junctions. Keratoconic corneas were characterized by ultrastructural damages and patchy loss of TC with an almost complete depletion of the c‐kit‐positive TC subpopulation. We propose that TC may contribute to the maintenance of corneal stromal homoeostasis and that, in particular, the c‐kit‐positive TC subtype might have stemness capacity participating in corneal regeneration and repair processes. Further studies are needed to clarify the differential roles of corneal TC subtypes as well as the possible therapeutic applications of TC in degenerative corneal disorders such as keratoconus.
Highlights
The cornea is an optically clear tissue that forms the front ocular surface and accounts for nearly two-thirds of the eye refractive power [1]
We further characterized the immunophenotype of these stromal cells by CD34/platelet-derived growth factor receptor a (PDGFRa) double immunofluorescence staining
Our findings provide evidence that stromal cells with typical ultrastructural features and immunophenotypes a 2017 The Authors
Summary
The cornea is an optically clear tissue that forms the front ocular surface and accounts for nearly two-thirds of the eye refractive power [1]. It consists of three cell layers: an outer epithelium, a middle avascular stromal layer formed by a collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with interstitial cells and an inner layer of endothelial cells. Cornea must be transparent and maintain a smooth and stable curvature as it contributes to the major part of the focusing power of the Corneal stromal cells, generally referred to as keratocytes, are interspersed between the collagen lamellae and are believed to play an important role in the preservation of corneal transparency and mechanical stability through the synthesis and/or maintenance of the ECM [4].
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