特络细胞及其胞外囊泡与细胞间交流

特络细胞(telcocytes,TCs)是一种间质细胞,广泛存在于人和哺乳动物的许多器官和组织中。TCs是一种带有突起的细胞,通过同型连接、异型连接或释放细胞外囊泡直接参与细胞间交流。越来越多的证据表明,TCs可能是一种潜在的再生细胞。本文总结了TCs及其胞外囊泡参与细胞间交流的证据,并讨论了它们潜在的功能作用。TCs的研究为再生医学提供了新的见解,在未来可考虑利用TC_s作为新型靶细胞治疗相关疾病。     

马拉色菌在特应性皮炎免疫学发病机制中的研究进展

近年来,对马拉色菌与免疫系统之间关联的研究明显增加,其重要内容是马拉色菌在特应性皮炎发病中的作用。本文主要概述近期一些研究中对马拉色菌与树突状细胞、角质形成细胞间的关联性及其在特应性皮炎发病的免疫学机制中的作用所获得的进展。     

白念珠菌对特比萘芬耐药性的体外梯级诱导和回复研究

目的以浓度梯级倍增的特比萘芬在体外诱导白念珠菌标准株获得耐药子代菌株,并观察其耐药稳定性,从细胞水平研究白念珠菌对特比萘芬耐药前后生物学特性的变化,为进一步采用基因芯片在基因表达水平上研究特比萘芬对白念珠菌的药理作用及其诱导耐药机制提供理想的实验模型。方法将白念珠菌ATCC90028株在特比萘芬浓度逐渐梯级倍增的YPD液体培养基中分别转种传代,直到最后转种至含1024μg／ml特比萘芬的YPD液体培养基中培养,分别测定诱导后形成的各子代菌株的MIC值;选用以1024μg／ml特比萘芬诱导形成的耐药菌株,在不含特比萘芬的YPD液体培养基中连续传代10次后,测定其MIC值,观察其耐药表型的稳定性;并分别用肉眼、光镜和电镜观察白念珠菌耐药性产生前后的形态学特征。结果特比萘芬MIC值为8μg／ml的白念珠菌母本菌株（白念珠菌ATCC90028）成功地被诱导成特比萘芬MIC值为≥512μg/ml的子代菌株,进一步的耐药稳定性实验说明诱导后形成的子代菌株的表型是相对稳定的,诱导后的子代耐药菌株与其母本相比,生长繁殖速度减慢,细胞形态不规则,部分细胞胞膜不完整。结论通过在药物浓度梯级倍增的培养基中连续传代培养的方法可成功建立相同基因型的对特比萘芬敏感的白念珠菌母本和对特比萘芬耐药的子代模型,为获取有亲本的耐药白念珠菌菌株提供了一个有效的实验方法,是在基因水平研究白念珠菌对特比萘芬耐药机制的理想实验模型。     

抗CD3人源化抗体恒定区突变体的制备及其生物学活性

为了降低抗CD3人源化抗体hu12F6对T细胞的激活作用以克服首剂效应 ,构建了恒定区特定位点突变的hu12F6重链表达载体 ,将其与hu12F6的轻链表达载体共转染CHO细胞 .ELISA和RT PCR证实 ,恒定区特定位点突变的人源化抗体hu12F6m在CHO细胞中获得了表达 .竞争抑制实验证实hu12F6m具有与原鼠源抗体及hu12F6相似的特异性和亲和力 .增殖实验表明hu12F6m对T细胞的刺激作用明显弱于hu12F6 .实验结果为深入探讨hu12F6m的生物学特性奠定了基础 .     

HPV及HLA与宫颈癌关系研究进展

宫颈癌是女性常见恶性肿瘤之一,HPV几乎是所有的宫颈鳞癌(95-100%)的致病因素.大量研究表明高危型HPV如HPV16、18的致癌性较低危型明显增高,E6、E7原癌蛋白分别与细胞内肿瘤抑制物p53和pRb结合使其失活是高危型HPV致癌的重要机制.肿瘤细胞往往是通过多种途径逃避免疫系统对他的识别及破坏,细胞表面HLAI类分子的表达尤为重要,这使得肿瘤细胞避免了细胞毒性T淋巴细胞对其的识别及溶解.HPIV病毒E6,E7,Li基因突变的研究表明特定位点的突变会使病毒更易诱导产生癌变及增大再次感染或从宿主免疫系统逃逸的机会;近年研究提出,宿主自身免疫遗传背景不仅参与病毒感染,而且参与肿瘤免疫,并在介导免疫识别、免疫应答、自然杀伤细胞自然杀伤作用和免疫调节力等方面发挥关键作用.深入探讨HPV病毒感染与人白细胞抗原(HLA)基因多态性的易感性、宫颈癌类型与人白细胞抗原(HLA)及其配体杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(KIR)易感性成为医学多学科共同研究的热点.现对HPV及HLA在宫颈癌发生中的免疫机制的研究进展给予综述.     

植物根尖干细胞的表观遗传调控

干细胞是一类具有特化为不同细胞类型能力的多能性细胞,他为多细胞生物的器官发生、损伤修复和再生源源不断提供新细胞。干细胞的特化和维持需要复杂的基因调控网络来有序调控。此外,表观遗传调控在包括干细胞命运决定在内的许多生物学过程中发挥极其重要的作用。本文归纳了近年来对植物,主要是模式植物拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana（L.）Heynh.）根尖干细胞表观遗传调控方面的研究进展,重点论述了表观调控因子与控制干细胞的关键转录因子之间如何互作、调控植物根尖干细胞的自我更新和分化,并对今后研究的突破方向进行了展望。     

爬树蕨的解剖学研究

本文对爬树蕨（Ａｒｔｈｒｏｐｔｅｒｉｓｏｂｌｉｔｅｒａｔａ（Ｒ．Ｂｒ．）Ｊ．Ｓｍ）孢子体各主要器官进行了解剖学研究及对孢子进行了电子显微镜扫描观察,研究结果表明;茎的中柱具有两个新月形的维管束;幼茎的中部有髓．在较老的茎,髓部及中柱周围的细胞均特化为厚壁细胞．根属二原型中柱．木质分化方式是外始式;在对正后生木质部的两侧的皮层有几层特化为厚壁细胞。叶的叶肉细胞不分化出栅栏组织和海绵组织,为等面对。孢子囊具有纵向环带,孢子的形状、外壁的纹饰和裂缝情况均与以前的研究有所不同。     

丝状真菌细胞凋亡研究进展

细胞凋亡是真核生物中保守而重要的细胞死亡机制,与癌症、艾滋病等多种疾病密切相关.与酵母菌这一细胞凋亡模式生物相比,丝状真菌凋亡研究起步较晚但具有其独特的优势.近年来丝状真菌细胞凋亡的内外源诱因、细胞凋亡的特征以及信号传导通路等方面的研究进展迅速.丝状真菌,尤其是构巢曲霉和烟曲霉有望成为细胞凋亡研究新的模式物种.此外,研究丝状真菌细胞凋亡现象在农业和医疗领域也具有重要的应用价值,可为生物防治和人类真菌病的治疗提供新的思路.工业丝状真菌细胞凋亡研究有助于构建性状更加优良的工程菌株.     

线虫发育模式的分子生物学研究概况

线虫是研究动物发育的理想模式系统.由其细胞谱系研究深入到细胞间相互作用及信号传递的研究、细胞程序性死亡的研究,乃至多基因相互作用调控发育的研究,这些都是今后这一领域的研究热点.     

唐古特白刺花蜜腺的发育解剖学研究

唐古特白刺（Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.）蜜腺位于花瓣内侧,按Fahn蜜腺分类法,属花被蜜腺;其由分泌表皮细胞构成,从植物解剖学的角度来看,又属典型的非结构蜜腺;经组织化学染色显示,淀粉粒的动态不明显,因此又属非淀粉蜜腺。唐古特白刺的分泌表皮细胞,在蜜腺发育过程中特化为分泌表皮毛,分泌腔原始细胞在蜜腺发育过程中裂解成分泌腔,分泌表皮上具有特殊的角质层纹理,在分泌表皮细胞发育过程中,液泡呈现一定的变化规律,其变化与蜜汁的合成和分泌规律相关,液泡是参与了多糖物质的降解、蜜汁的转运等物质的循环而发生着有规律的变化,淀粉和糖原的动态不明显。最后形成的蜜汁经分泌腔,由分泌表皮细胞特化为单细胞的表皮毛中泌出,在败花期时,分泌表皮毛萎缩并随花瓣一起脱落,泌蜜由此停止。     

Telocytes accompanying cardiomyocyte in primary culture: two- and three-dimensional culture environment

Recently, the presence of telocytes was demonstrated in human and mammalian tissues and organs (digestive and extra-digestive organs, genitourinary organs, heart, placenta, lungs, pleura, striated muscle). Noteworthy, telocytes seem to play a significant role in the normal function and regeneration of myocardium. By cultures of telocytes in two- and three-dimensional environment we aimed to study the typical morphological features as well as functionality of telocytes, which will provide important support to understand their in vivo roles. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured as seeding cells in vitro in two-dimensional environment. Furthermore, engineered myocardium tissue was constructed from isolated cells in three-dimensional collagen/Matrigel scaffolds. The identification of telocytes was performed by using histological and immunohistochemical methods. The results showed that typical telocytes are distributed among cardiomyocytes, connecting them by long telopodes. Telocytes have a typical fusiform cell body with two or three long moniliform telopodes, as main characteristics. The vital methylene blue staining showed the existence of telocytes in primary culture. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that some c-kit or CD34 immuno-positive cells in engineered heart tissue had the morphology of telocytes, with a typical fusiform cell body and long moniliform telopodes. Also, a significant number of vimentin+ telocytes were present within engineered heart tissue. We suggest that the model of three-dimensional engineered heart tissue could be useful for the ongoing research on the functional relationships of telocytes with cardiomyocytes. Because the heart has the necessary potential of changing the muscle and non-muscle cells during the lifetime, telocytes might play an active role in the heart regeneration process. Moreover, telocytes might be a useful tool for cardiac tissue engineering.     

Distribution and characteristics of telocytes as nurse cells in the architectural organization of engineered heart tissues

Interstitial Cajal-like cells are a distinct type of interstitial cell with a wide distribution in mammalian organs and tissues,and have been given the name"telocytes".Recent studies have demonstrated the potential roles of telocytes in heart development,renewal,and repair.However,further research on the functions of telocytes is limited by the complicated in vivo environment.This study was designed to construct engineered heart tissue(EHT)as a three-dimensional model in vitro to better understand the role of telocytes in the architectural organization of the myocardium.EHTs were constructed by seeding neonatal cardiomyocytes in collagen/Matrigel scaffolds followed by culture under persistent static stretch.Telocytes in EHTs were identified by histology,toluidine blue staining,immunofluorescence,and transmission electron microscopy.The results from histology and toluidine blue staining demonstrated widespread putative telocytes with compact toluidine blue-stained nuclei,which were located around cardiomyocytes.Prolongations from the cell bodies showed a characteristic dichotomous branching pattern and formed networks in EHTs.Immunofluorescence revealed positive staining of telocytes for CD34 and vimentin with typical moniliform prolongations.A series of electron microscopy images further showed that typical telocytes embraced the cardiomyocytes with their long prolongations and exhibited a marked appearance of nursing cardiomyocytes during the construction of EHTs.This finding highlights the great importance of telocytes in the architectural organization of EHTs.It also suggests that EHT is an appropriate physical and pathological model system in vitro to study the roles of telocytes during heart development and regeneration.     

A loss of telocytes accompanies fibrosis of multiple organs in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and various internal organs. In SSc, telocytes, a peculiar type of stromal (interstitial) cells, display severe ultrastructural damages and are progressively lost from the clinically affected skin. The aim of the present work was to investigate the presence and distribution of telocytes in the internal organs of SSc patients. Archival paraffin‐embedded samples of gastric wall, myocardium and lung from SSc patients and controls were collected. Tissue sections were stained with Masson's trichrome to detect fibrosis. Telocytes were studied on tissue sections subjected to CD34 immunostaining. CD34/CD31 double immunofluorescence was performed to unequivocally differentiate telocytes (CD34‐positive/CD31‐negative) from vascular endothelial cells (CD34‐positive/CD31‐positive). Few telocytes entrapped in the fibrotic extracellular matrix were found in the muscularis mucosae and submucosa of SSc gastric wall. In the muscle layers and myenteric plexus, the network of telocytes was discontinuous or even completely absent around smooth muscle cells and ganglia. Telocytes were almost completely absent in fibrotic areas of SSc myocardium. In SSc fibrotic lung, few or no telocytes were observed in the thickened alveolar septa, around blood vessels and in the interstitial space surrounding terminal and respiratory bronchioles. In SSc, the loss of telocytes is not restricted to the skin, but it is a widespread process affecting multiple organs targeted by the fibrotic process. As telocytes are believed to be key players in the regulation of tissue/organ homoeostasis, our data suggest that telocyte loss might have important pathophysiological implications in SSc.     

Telocytes play a key role in prostate tissue organisation during the gland morphogenesis

Telocytes are CD34‐positive interstitial cells, known to exert several functions, one of which is a role in tissue organisation, previously demonstrated by telocytes in the myocardium. The existence of telocytes in the prostate has recently been reported, however, there is a lack of information regarding the function of these cells in prostate tissue, and information regarding the possible role of these cells in prostatic development. This study used immunofluorescence techniques in prostate tissue and prostatic telocytes in culture to determine the relationship between telocytes and prostate morphogenesis. Furthermore, immunofluorescent labelling of telocytes was performed on prostate tissue at different stages of early postnatal development. Initially, CD34‐positive cells are found at the periphery of the developing alveoli, later in the same region, c‐kit‐positive cells and cells positive for both factors are verified and CD34‐positive cells were predominantly observed in the interalveolar stroma and the region surrounding the periductal smooth muscle. Fluorescence assays also demonstrated that telocytes secrete TGF‐β1 and are ER‐Beta (ERβ) positive. The results suggest that telocytes play a changing role during development, initially supporting the differentiation of periductal and perialveolar smooth muscle, and later, producing dense networks that separate alveoli groups and form a barrier between the interalveolar region and periurethral smooth muscle. We conclude that telocytes play a relevant role in prostate tissue organisation during postnatal development.     

Presence,localization and morphology of TELOCYTES in developmental gonads of fishes

Telocytes are a new defined type of interstitial cells, considered as a stem cell, with very long and thin cytoplasmic extensions. They are present in the vertebrates, and may participate in tissue remodeling. In fish, during gonadal development, the events that culminate with the germinal epithelium formation are well known. However, the interstitial compartment remains poorly explored, although it may have a great contribution to the morpho-functional changes that occur in the gonad. As in other organisms, in fish, the interstitium consists especially of connective tissue elements. However, until now, there are no reports of the presence and the action of the telocytes in the connective tissue of gonads of fish. Thus, this study aimed to detect the presence, localization and morphology of telocytes during the gonadal development of several species of fish. The gonads were analyzed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry for localization of CD34, Vimentin, and metalloproteinases. The presence of two proteins characteristics of mesenchymal cell was detected in cells of the gonads of all species. In addition, they presented a typical morphology of telocytes, showing cellular extensions. Gonadal telocytes also presented positive response to metalloproteinases. In mammals, telocytes can undergo de-differentiation contributing to the reorganization of the extracellular matrix. This role may be performed by the metalloproteinases detected here. The detection of Vimentin and CD34 in the same cellular type, associated with its morphological characteristics, allows us to conclude that some interstitial cells in Teleostei are considered telocytes, identical to the ones already described in mammals and other vertebrates.     

Evidence for progressive reduction and loss of telocytes in the dermal cellular network of systemic sclerosis

Telocytes, a peculiar type of stromal cells, have been recently identified in a variety of tissues and organs, including human skin. Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. We presently investigated telocyte distribution and features in the skin of SSc patients compared with normal skin. By an integrated immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy approach, we confirmed that telocytes were present in human dermis, where they were mainly recognizable by their typical ultrastructural features and were immunophenotypically characterized by CD34 expression. Our findings also showed that dermal telocytes were immunophenotypically negative for CD31/PECAM‐1 (endothelial cells), α‐SMA (myofibroblasts, pericytes, vascular smooth muscle cells), CD11c (dendritic cells, macrophages), CD90/Thy‐1 (fibroblasts) and c‐kit/CD117 (mast cells). In normal skin, telocytes were organized to form three‐dimensional networks distributed among collagen bundles and elastic fibres, and surrounded microvessels, nerves and skin adnexa (hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands). Telocytes displayed severe ultrastructural damages (swollen mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuolization, lipofuscinic bodies) suggestive of ischaemia‐induced cell degeneration and were progressively lost from the clinically affected skin of SSc patients. Telocyte damage and loss evolved differently according to SSc subsets and stages, being more rapid and severe in diffuse SSc. Briefly, in human skin telocytes are a distinct stromal cell population. In SSc skin, the progressive loss of telocytes might (i) contribute to the altered three‐dimensional organization of the extracellular matrix, (ii) reduce the control of fibroblast, myofibroblast and mast cell activity, and (iii) impair skin regeneration and/or repair.     

Expression of toll‐like receptors and their regulatory roles in murine cardiac telocytes

Telocytes, newly discovered in the last decade, are interstitial cells found in numerous organs, with multiple proposed potential biological functions. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in innate and adaptive immunity by recognizing pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). However, it is still unknown whether telocytes express these innate receptors. We sought to determine the expression and role of TLRs in telocytes. In our study, we primarily detected TLR1‐9 expression in telocytes. The proliferation, apoptosis and immunoregulatory activity of telocytes activated with or without TLR ligands were determined. Our results showed that purified telocytes expressed TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5. In particular, telocytes expressed high levels of TLR2 as observed using flow cytometry. When we stimulated telocytes with TLR2 or TLR3 agonists (Pam3CSK4, PolyI:C), iNOS expression was greatly increased after Pam3CSK4 treatment. Additionally, telocyte proliferation was reduced and cell apoptosis was increased after TLR agonist stimulation. A co‐culture experiment showed that supernatant from telocytes pretreated with Pam3CSK4 inhibited T cell activation much more than that from untreated telocytes and this effect was mediated by iNOS. Overall, our results demonstrated TLR expression on telocytes for the first time and provided evidence of an immunoregulatory role of telocytes, indicating their clinical potential.     

Telocytes in regenerative medicine

Telocytes (TCs) are a distinct type of interstitial cells characterized by a small cell body and extremely long and thin telopodes (Tps). The presence of TCs has been documented in many tissues and organs (go to http://www.telocytes.com ). Functionally, TCs form a three‐dimensional (3D) interstitial network by homocellular and heterocellular communication and are involved in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. As important interstitial cells to guide or nurse putative stem and progenitor cells in stem cell niches in a spectrum of tissues and organs, TCs contribute to tissue repair and regeneration. This review focuses on the latest progresses regarding TCs in the repair and regeneration of different tissues and organs, including heart, lung, skeletal muscle, skin, meninges and choroid plexus, eye, liver, uterus and urinary system. By targeting TCs alone or in tandem with stem cells, we might promote regeneration and prevent the evolution to irreversible tissue damage. Exploring pharmacological or non‐pharmacological methods to enhance the growth of TCs would be a novel therapeutic strategy besides exogenous transplantation for many diseased disorders.     

Telocytes are reduced during fibrotic remodelling of the colonic wall in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation finally leading to extensive tissue fibrosis and resulting in a stiff colon unable to carry out peristalsis or to resorb fluids. Telocytes, a peculiar type of stromal cells, have been recently identified in the human gastrointestinal tract. Several roles have been proposed for telocytes, including mechanical support, intercellular signalling and modulation of intestinal motility. The aim of the present work was to investigate the presence and distribution of telocytes in colonic specimens from UC patients compared with controls. Archival paraffin‐embedded samples of the left colon from UC patients who underwent elective bowel resection and controls were collected. Tissue sections were stained with Masson's trichrome to detect fibrosis. Telocytes were identified by CD34 immunohistochemistry. In early fibrotic UC cases, fibrosis affected the muscularis mucosae and submucosa, while the muscularis propria was spared. In advanced fibrotic UC cases, fibrosis extended to affect the muscle layers and the myenteric plexus. Few telocytes were found in the muscularis mucosae and submucosa of both early and advanced fibrotic UC colonic wall. In the muscle layers and myenteric plexus of early fibrotic UC, telocytes were preserved in their distribution. In the muscularis propria of advanced fibrotic UC, the network of telocytes was reduced or even completely absent around smooth muscle bundles and myenteric plexus ganglia, paralleling the loss of the network of interstitial cells of Cajal. In UC, a loss of telocytes accompanies the fibrotic remodelling of the colonic wall and might contribute to colonic dysmotility.     

Telocytes in the Spleen

Telocytes, a novel type of interstitial cells with very long and thin prolongations, have been identified in many organs in mammals. At present, the ultrastructural, immunocytochemical and electrophysiological properties of telocytes in multiple organs have been understood. However, telocytes in spleen, especially their roles in spleen have not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure, distribution and immunophenotypes of splenic telocytes. Rat spleen was harvested for the ultrastructure analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The primary culture of telocytes was performed after combined enzymatic digestion. The characteristic morphology was analyzed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that telocytes displayed a piriform/spindle/triangular shape with long and slender telopods and extremely long prolongation contracting with surrounding cells in the spleen. Their dynamic profiles of cytoplasmic separation were recorded by the Live Cell Imaging System. The length of telopods was mostly distributing in 20–30 μm, in accordance with normal distribution. Most telocytes had three or two telopods (28.71% and 22.58% respectively). Immunostaining indicated that these cells were positive for vimentin, CD34, nanog and sca-1, but negative for c-kit. These data prove the existence of telocytes in the spleen, which may serve as the experimental base for exploring their roles in the spleen.