Telocytes: Unraveling Their Roles in Health and Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 496
Special Issue Editor
Interests: interstitial cells; tissue remodelling; intercellular signalling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Telocytes are a distinct type of interstitial cell characterised by small cell bodies and extremely long, thin extensions known as telopodes, which form complex intercellular networks. Telocytes were relatively recently identified as a type of interstitial (stromal) cell, first described by my mentor, Prof. Laurentiu Popescu, in 2010. Distributed across multiple organs, including the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive system, telocytes play critical roles in tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and intercellular signalling. Molecularly, they express markers such as CD34, PDGFR-α/β, and vimentin, and communicate via extracellular vesicles that transport regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and proteins. Functionally, telocytes are involved in stem cell niche regulation, angiogenesis, and immune modulation, influencing key processes like tissue repair and ECM organisation. Dysregulation in telocyte number or function has been implicated in various pathologies, including cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory diseases, and interactions between tumours and their stroma. Molecular pathways, including PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, modulate their activity. Understanding the molecular implications of telocytes offers new insights into regenerative medicine and targeted therapies.
This Special Issue aims to explore the emerging roles of telocytes in tissue homeostasis, regeneration, intercellular communication, and disease modulation. This collection will highlight recent advances in understanding the molecular identity, signalling pathways, and functional interactions of telocytes across various organ systems. Emphasis will be placed on their involvement in regenerative processes, immune regulation, stem cell niche dynamics, and their potential as therapeutic targets in conditions such as fibrosis, inflammation, and cancer. The multidisciplinary nature of this Special Issue aims to deepen the understanding of telocyte biology and expose future translational applications in regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and clinical therapeutics.
Prof. Dr. Sanda Cretoiu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- telocytes
- telopodes
- intercellular communication
- stem cell niche
- extracellular vesicles
- regenerative medicine
- tissue remodelling
- stromal cells
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