Objective: To explore the location of telocytes in pulmonary tissues.
Methods: Electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, primary cell culture and vital cell staining were used to identify the distribution of telocytes in mouse bronchial and pulmonary tissues.
Results: Telocytes were identified in the interstitial space between bronchial cartilage (cricoid) and smooth muscle by scanning and transmission electron microscope in mouse. By transmission electron micrscope and immunohistochemistry, telocytes were found in the interstitial spaces of lung parenchyma in connection with capillaries and bronchia. Telocytes expressed CD34, c-kit and vimetin by immunohistochemistry. After isolation, cultured telocytes demonstrated typical morphological feature, i.e. cells with telopode, which was seen as luminal structures with alternating thin and thick segments under electron microscope.
Conclusion: Telocytes are present in the interstitial space between cricoid cartilage and smooth muscle.