IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 46 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog4906.2019

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Open Access Review
Telocytes: a brief review for the obstetrics/gynecology clinician
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1 Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Košice, Slovakia
2 Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
3 Department of Gynaecology, East Slovakia Oncology Institute, Košice, Slovakia
*Correspondence: anna.birkova@upjs.sk (A. BIRKOVÁ)
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2019, 46(6), 867–871; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog4906.2019
Published: 10 December 2019
Abstract

Telocytes (TCs) are unique interstitial cells with a wide array of intercellular communication tools. They appear to be an integral part of interstitium of different organs, including the female genital organs. Immunohistochemistry of these cells shows that organ-specific phenotypes exist, and electronic microscopy proved occurrence of morphologically different types of TCs within one organ expecting variety functions. Ongoing research is starting to uncover possible roles of TCs in these organs like mechanical support of tissues, regulation of morphogenesis, regeneration of tissues, and maintaining of homeostasis through impact on neural, vascular and endocrine processes. Disturbation in their number or function leads to disruption of hormonal control and is related to cancer progression. This review offers an overview of available data as well as popular theories.

Keywords
Telocytes
Communication
Homeostasis
Reproductive tract
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