Telocyte: a newly described interstitial cell

Telocytes (TCs) are a newly described type of interstitial cells. TCs were recently identified as a novel stromal cell type in various organs. They have been described to have specific long prolongations (telopodes) that are formed of alternating thin segments (podomers) with dilatations (podoms). Each TC is characterized by a small cell body with the presence of 2–5 telopodes. TCs have several immunohistochemical markers such as CD34, C-kit, and vimentin. Although TCs have been found in many organs of different mammals with potential physiological functions, their exact role remains unclear. Future morphological and functional studies are required to clarify the possible functions of TCs in health and disease.