Open AccessFIB ‐ SEM tomography of human skin telocytes and their extracellular vesicles
Author(s) -
Cretoiu Dragos,
Gherghiceanu Mihaela,
Hummel Eric,
Zimmermann Hans,
Simionescu Olga,
Popescu Laurentiu M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.12578
Subject(s) - electron tomography , transmission electron microscopy , scanning electron microscope , endoplasmic reticulum , dermis , caveolae , focused ion beam , extracellular , materials science , microscopy , electron microscope , biophysics , chemistry , anatomy , biomedical engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , nanotechnology , pathology , membrane , biology , scanning transmission electron microscopy , medicine , optics , ion , biochemistry , physics , organic chemistry , composite material
We have shown in 2012 the existence of telocytes ( TC s) in human dermis. TC s were described by transmission electron microscopy ( TEM ) as interstitial cells located in non‐epithelial spaces (stroma) of many organs (see www.telocytes.com ). TC s have very long prolongations (tens to hundreds micrometers) named Telopodes (Tps). These Tps have a special conformation with dilated portions named podoms (containing mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and caveolae) and very thin segments (below resolving power of light microscopy), called podomers. To show the real 3D architecture of TC network, we used the most advanced available electron microscope technology: focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy ( FIB ‐ SEM ) tomography. Generally, 3D reconstruction of dermal TC s by FIB ‐ SEM tomography revealed the existence of Tps with various conformations: ( i ) long, flattened irregular veils (ribbon‐like segments) with knobs, corresponding to podoms, and ( ii ) tubular structures (podomers) with uneven calibre because of irregular dilations (knobs) – the podoms. FIB ‐ SEM tomography also showed numerous extracellular vesicles (diameter 438.6 ± 149.1 nm, n = 30) released by a human dermal TC . Our data might be useful for understanding the role(s) of TC s in intercellular signalling and communication, as well as for comprehension of pathologies like scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, etc .