Figure 8.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of telocytes (TCs) and telopodes (Tps) in diseased human hearts. (A) Representative TEM image showing that in collagen-free areas the TPs show a strong tendency to extend their prolongations and interconnect Tps derived from other TCs (arrowheads). In contrast, the TC engulfed in densely packed collagen fibrils displays retracted Tps. Coll: collagen; CMC: cardiomyocyte; RBC: red blood cell. The insert is a higher magnification of the TP shown with arrowheads in A. (B) Tps embedded in amorphous, non-fibrillar interstitial material exhibit almost normal ultrastructure and they extend over long distances. (C) TEM micrographs showing that in extracellular matrix regions rich in amorphous substances the Tps form typical labyrinthine systems (arrows) usually seen in the normal human myocardium.