Telocytes

Telocytes (TCs), a particular interstitial cell type, have been recently described in a wide variety of mammalian organs. The TCs are identified morphologically by a small cell body and extremely long (tens to hundreds of micrometer), thin prolongations (less than 100 nm in diameter, below the resolving power of light microscopy) called telopodes www.telocytes.com. 

Recently,  Ceafalan et al (2012) demonstrated that TCs were present in human dermis. In particular, TCs were found in the reticular dermis and  around blood vessels. Screening for antigens showed two subpopulations of dermal TCs; one of which was positive for CD34, which is hallmark of stem cells. The TCs were connected to each other by homocellular junctions, and they formed an interstitial 3D network.  Moreover, TCs established atypical heterocellular junctions with stem cells (clusters of undifferentiated cells). 

Probably, TC could be one of most significant  parts of skin regeneration's enigma.

Source:  Ceafalan et al (2012)

 

Image: telocytes.com