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. 2019 Apr 26;28(7):955–966. doi: 10.1177/0963689719842514

Telocytes as a Novel Structural Component in the Muscle Layers of the Goat Rumen

Yu Liang 1, Siyi Wang 1, Tianci An 1, Imran Tarique 1, Waseem Ail Vistro 1, Yifei Liu 1, Ziyu Wang 2, Haiyan Zhang 3, YongHong Shi 1,4, Abdul haseeb 1, Noor Samad Gandahi 1, Adeela Iqba 1, Huan Yang 1, Qiusheng Chen 1, Ping Yang 1,2,✉
PMCID: PMC6719488  PMID: 31023066

Abstract

Telocytes (TCs) have been identified as a distinct type of interstitial cells, but have not yet been reported in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of ruminants. In this study, we used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and double-labelling immunofluorescence (IF) (antibodies: CD34, vimentin and PGP9.5) to seek TCs and investigate their potential functions in the muscle layers of the goat rumen. TCs were distributed widely in the myenteric plexus (TC-MYs) between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, within circular muscle layers (TC-CMs) as well as in longitudinal muscle layers (TC-LMs). Ultrastructurally, TCs displayed small cell bodies with several long prolongations—telopodes—harboring alternate thin segments (podomers) and dilated segments (podoms). The podoms contained mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and caveolae. Telopodes frequently established close physical interactions with near telopodes, collagen fibers (CFs), nerve fibers (NFs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), nerve tracts, and smooth muscle bundles, as well as with blood vessels (BVs). Furthermore, both homo- and heterotypic connections were observed. In addition, telopodes were capable of releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs). IF analyses proved that TCs were reliably labeled as CD34+/vimentin+ cells, displaying spindle- or triangle-shaped bodies with long prolongations, consistent with TEM results. Specifically, podoms were visible as obvious bright spots. These positive cells covered entire muscular layers, surrounding ganglions, intermuscular BVs as well as entire smooth muscle bundles, forming a network. TC-MYs were distributed as clusters in the external ganglion, encompassing the entire ganglion and spreading to the muscle layers where TC-CMs and TC-LMs seemingly surround whole smooth muscle bundles. TC-MYs were also scattered within the interior of the ganglion, surrounding each ganglionic neuron, following the glial cells layer. We speculate that TCs support the muscle layer structure of the goat rumen and facilitate intercellular signaling directly or indirectly via the TC network.

Keywords: Telocyte, telopodes, muscle layers, rumen

Introduction

The telocyte (TC) is a novel type of interstitial cell in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of several monogastric animals. According to Popescu, their discoverer, the most significant feature of TCs is the presence of a unique telopode, an extremely long and moniliform of projection displaying an alternation of thin segments (podomers) and dilated segments (podoms)1. At the ultrastructural level, podoms contain caveolae, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum1–3. TC identification is based on the ultrastructural criteria suggested by Popescu1. However, in recent years, histological and immunological studies have revealed that the most relevant TC identification criteria rely on CD34, tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit) and vimentin, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), Caveolin-1, etc.1,2,4–12. Due to various unknown functional features of TCs, this results in different immunophenotype appearances. TCs may have different immunophenotypes according to their tissue localization. Therefore, immunofluorescence (IF), another accepted method for TCs identification, showed that TCs can express at least two markers among CD34, c-kit and vimentin in vivo or in vitro1,2,5–7,10,11. TCs frequently established homo- and heterotypic connections with other structures (nerve fibers (NFs), blood vessels (BVs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), collagen fibers (CFs)) to form a three-dimensional (3D) network through their elongated cytoplasmic projections, emphasizing their involvement in numerous functions1–3,5,7,11,13–15. In the past few years, TC distribution has been studied extensively in various organs (e.g., epicardium4, uteru5, fallopian tube6, placenta7, pancreas8, parotid gland9, skin10, urinary bladder11, myocardium13, neuromuscular spindles14, lungs15, gallbladder16 and GIT12,17–21) of single-stomach animals, but few studies have been done within the rumen of ruminants.

The rumen is a significant chamber of the complex stomach in ruminants that mainly acts as a food stirrer and fermenter. Its specific structure and function play an important role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients22. Previous studies of the GIT have focused primarily on the microorganisms and epithelial cells involved in nutrient digestion and uptake22–25. However, in recent years, gastrointestinal functional disorders associated with regulation between the enteric nervous system (ENS) and SMCs, such as rumen impaction and rumen flatulence, have had a tremendous effect on stock breeing26–29 and further research is needed. Wood and Furness proposed the concept of “neurogastroenterology,” implying that mainly the ENS regulates the contraction and diastolic functions of smooth muscles30,31. In recent years, new types of interstitial cells such as TCs have been carefully described in the GIT of rats17,18 and humans12,19–21. In the muscle layer, TCs are involved in maintaining intestinal structural and dynamic stability. Research shows that TCs might even play an important role in the interaction between neurons and SMCs14,17,18,32, expanding a new field for the advancement of gut diseases. Vannucchi et al. proposed that TCs might also play a role in transmitting slow waves in the GIT of mammals33,34. Based on their intimate interaction with other structures (NFs, SMCs, BVs and CFs, neuromuscular spindles, immune cells, endothelial cells), TCs might also be involved in numerous physiological processes, including structural support, neurotransmission, intercellular communication, neo-angiogenesis regeneration as well as myocardial regeneration1–3,5,7,11,13–15,35–37. Therefore, the existence of TCs in the rumen of ruminants, and their relationships with other structures, eagerly await investigation. This may provide new ideas for understanding digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in ruminants.

In the present study, we first confirmed, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and IF, that TCs are present in the muscle layers of the rumen. Close relationships between TCs and other structures (smooth muscle bundles, nerve tracts, BVs, SMCs, NFs, CFs and ganglionic neurons) were also detected. Our results will help to understand future research into the phenotype, ultrastructure and potential function of TCs in ruminants.

Materials and Methods

Animals

Four adult Capra hircus (goats) were used in this study. All goats were obtained from a commercial farm and managed in a traditional control and treatment manner. Animals were deeply anesthetized using IV administration of sodium thiopental (10 mg/kg) and euthanized by means of an intracardiac injection of Tanax (0.5 ml/kg). Rumen samples were taken from the goats immediately following euthanasia. The tissues were collected immediately, placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for fixation overnight, and then embedded in paraffin wax. Sectioning was performed at 5 µm. Sample preparation was conducted according to accepted international standards.

Transmission Electron Microscopy

The specimens were cut into small parts (1 mm3) and then immersed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in PBS (4°C, pH 7.4, 0.1 mol/L) for 24 h. Tissues were rinsed in the same PBS and then post-fixed for 60 min at room temperature in the same way using buffered 1% osmium tetroxide (Polysciences Inc. Warrington, PA, USA) and washed in the buffer. The samples were then dehydrated in ascending concentrations of ethyl alcohol, infiltrated with a propylene oxide-Araldite mixture, and then embedded in Araldite. The blocks were then sectioned using an ultramicrotome (Reichert Jung, Wien, Austria), and ultrathin sections (50 nm) were mounted on copper-coated grids. The pieces were stained with 1% uranyl acetate and Reynold’s lead citrate for 20 min.

Double-Labelling Immunofluorescence

In double immunofluorescence experiments, the paraffin sections were incubated overnight at 4°C with the following antibody pairs: mouse anti-vimentin (1:100) (Boster BioTechnology, Wuhan, China)/rabbit anti-CD34 (1:100) (Boster BioTechnology); mouse anti-vimentin(1:100) (Boster BioTechnology)/rabbit anti-PGP9.5 (1:100) (Boster BioTechnology); mouse anti-PGP9.5 (1:100) (Arigo, Taiwan, China)/rabbit anti-CD34 (1:100) (Boster BioTechnology). Following primary antibody application, all samples were incubated with anti-mouse Alexa Fluor 488 (1:200) (Life Technologies, Molecular Probes, Grand Island, NY, USA)/anti-rabbit rhodamine (1:200) (Life Technologies, Molecular Probes) for another 1.5 h at 37°C prior to rehydration in PBS. The sections were then incubated with 4′6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI; Life Technologies, Molecular Probes) and then stimulated under a fluorescent microscope. Pictures of each specimen section were sampled at 40–400x magnification.

Equipment

For light microscopy, all specimens were initially subjected to LED light to visualize fluorescence under an Olympus DP73 microscope (Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. For TEM, the sections were examined and photographed with an H-7650 transmission electron microscope (Hitachi Suzhou City, Hong Kong).

Results

In the muscle layer of goat rumen, TCs were distributed in the myenteric plexus (TC-MYs) (Fig. 1; Fig. 2; Fig. 3), between the circular and the longitudinal muscle layers, and within the circular and longitudinal muscle layer (TC-CMs and TC-LMs) (Fig. 4). A typical TC-MY displayed a stellate-shape cell body (Fig. 1A) and two extremely long and thin prolongations called telopodes, and, alternately, thin segments (podomer) or dilation segments (podom). TC-MYs and their telopodes gathered in the intermuscular connective tissue (Fig. 1B). Small bubbles appeared around a spindle-shape TC-MY (Fig. 1C). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) of different sizes were observed in the vicinity of telopodes (Fig. 1D–F(f)). Telopode2 formed a labyrinthine apparatus with a very convoluted profile, while telopode1 harbored flexion- and irregularity-free surfaces (Fig. 1D). A typical fibroblast has a rich cytoplasm with expansive rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) (Fig. 1E). TC-MYs are frequently wrapped around nerve tracts, where each axon is embedded in the cytoplasm of the glial cells (Fig. 2A(c)), as well as around the intermuscular BVs (Fig. 2B(d)). Notably, the podom released multivesicular cargos within the intercellular matrix (Fig. 2A). TC-MYs were close to an arteriole wall, near small NFs (Fig. 2B). The telopodes appeared as typical bead-like shapes with several caveolae, surrounding the nerve bundle (Fig. 2C). Moreover, numerous TC-MYs, as well as their telopodes, formed a network by the homojunctions (Fig 2D) surrounding the BVs (Fig 2D). A network of TC-MYs was also established in the neighborhood of the smooth muscle bundle and the nerve tract (Fig. 3A), by homojunctions Tp1–Tp2 (Fig. 3B), Tp2–Tp3 (Fig. 3C), Tp2–Tp5 (Fig. 3D), Tp2–Tp4 (Fig. 3E), and heterojunctions between Tp2 and CFs (Fig. 3C). Interlocking structures also occurred between telopodes (Fig. 3B, E). EVs were budding from the cytoplasm of the telopodes (Fig. 3C–E). Both TC-CMs and TC-LMs bordered the bundles of smooth muscle with their fairly long or repeatedly curled processes. (Fig. 4A, B). They were also close to the NFs and/or SMCs in intimate interaction (Fig. 4B,C,E(e)), but no gap junction was found. In addition, multivesicular bodies (MVBs) were present in the cytoplasm of podoms (Fig. 4D). EVs were also observed between NFs and the telopodes (Fig. 4E).

Fig 1.

Fig 1.

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TEM images of the myenteric plexus of the goat rumen. (A) A typical TC, with a small stellate-shape cell body and two long beaded-like telopodes, harboring alternating podomers or podoms (arrows). TCs, several telopodes and a fibroblast located in the intermuscular connective tissue. Square-marked areas 1, 2, 3 in (B) are enlarged in (C, D, E), respectively. (C) Small bubbles (arrowheads) near a spindle-shape TC-MY. (D) Mitochondria and RER were observed in the podom of telopode1. Small buttonholes (stars) composed of the telopode2 convolutions. EVs (arrowheads) were present between two close telopodes. (E) A typical fibroblast. Square marked area in (F) is enlarged in (f), EVs (arrowhead) near the telopodes and CFs. The arrows indicate podoms. TC: telocyte; Tp1-5: telopode1-5; rer: rough endoplasmic reticulum; m: mitochondria; SMC: smooth muscle cell; cf: collagen fiber; Fb: fibroblast. Bar = 2μm in A, C; Bar = 10 μm in B; Bar = 5μm in D, E, F.

Fig 2.

Fig 2.

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TCs surrounding the nerve tracts and BVs in the myenteric plexus of the goat rumen. Square marked areas in (A, c, d) are enlarged in (a, C, D), respectively. (A, c) Telopodes were closely surrounding the nerve tract, where each axon were embedded by the cytoplasm of the glial cells. (a) The podom shedding multivesicular cargos (arrowheads). (B) TCs in the vicinity of an arteriole wall, near a small NF. (C) A typical beaded-like telopode with several caveolae (bent arrows). (d) Numerous TCs and telopodes surrounded the BVs forming a network. (D) Homotypic connections between the two telopodes (diagonal arrows). EVs (arrowheads) close to telopodes. The arrows indicate podoms. TC: telocytes; Tp: telopode; rer: rough endoplasmic reticulum; m: mitochondria; VMA: vessels smooth muscle cell; E: endothelial cell; V: blood vessels; RBC: red blood cell. Gi: glial cells; ax: axon; NF: nerve fiber. Bar = 5μm in A, B; Bar = 600 nm in C; Bar = 2μm in D.

Fig 3.

Fig 3.

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TEM of homo- and heterojunctions in the myenteric plexus of the goat rumen. (A) At least nine telopodes were located in the intermuscular connective tissue, one side close to the nerve bundle and the other side near the muscle bundle. Square marked-areas 1, 2, 3, 4 in (A) are enlarged in (B, C, D, E). The homojunctions (arrows) were visible between telopodes: Tp1-Tp2 (B), Tp2-Tp3 (C), Tp2-Tp5 (D), Tp2-Tp4 (E). (B, E) Interlocking structure between telopodes. (C) Heterojunction (arrow) observed between the telopode and CFs. (B, C, E) EVs (arrowhead) budding from the cytoplasm of telopodes. (C, D) Bent arrows indicate caveolae. TC: telocyte; Tp1-9: telopode1-9; rer: rough endoplasmic reticulum; m: mitochondria; SMC: smooth muscle cell; cf: collagen fiber; NF: nerve fiber. Bar = 1 μm in A; Bar = 200 nm in B, D, E; Bar = 500 nm in C.

Fig 4.

Fig 4.

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Intimate relationships between TCs and other structures (smooth muscle bundles, SMCs, NFs and CFs) in the circular and longitude muscle layers of the goat rumen. (A) A fairly long telopode bordering the smooth muscle bundles. (B) A triangle-shaped TC with two long and repeatedly curled processes, close to NFs and SMCs. Several moniliform telopodes were embedded in CFs. (C) A spindle-shaped TC close to SMCs. (D) MVB (arrowheads), imaged in the cytoplasm of telopode1. Homojunction between two telopodes. Rent arrows indicated caveolae. Square marked areas in (e) was enlarged in (E), EVs (arrowheads) in the vicinity of the NFs and SMCs. The arrows indicate podoms. TC: telocyte; Tp1,2: telopode1,2; rer: rough endoplasmic reticulum; m: mitochondria; SMC: smooth muscle cells; cf: collagen fiber; NF: nerve fibers; Bar = 10 μm in A; Bar = 2μm in B; Bar = 1 μm in C, E; Bar = 200 nm in D.

The presence of TCs was also confirmed by immunolabeling of CD34+/vimentin+ cells (Fig. 5). Vimentin was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm, while CD34 was expressed in the cytomembrane. These positive cells (TC-MYs, TC-CMs, and TC-LMs) covered the entire muscular layers, surrounding the intermuscular ganglion, the intermuscular BVs as well as the entire smooth muscle bundles (Fig. 5A(a)–C(c)) to form a network (Fig. 5A–C). In the myenteric connective tissue, TC-MYs were clusterly distributed and interweaved with each other, forming a network (Fig. 6A–C). In the ganglion, three cell types were explored: Vimentin+/CD34+ cells displaying TCs characteristics (TC-MYs) (Fig. 7A–C); Vimentin+/CD34- glial cells interconnected to form ring-boundary layers (Fig. 7B, E); and PGP9.5+ neurons and NFs (Fig. 7D(d1) and Fig. 7D(d2)). Each ganglionic neuron was encircled by a ring-boundary layer consisting of several glial cells (Fig. 7F(f1)) and TC-MYs were located in the periphery of the glial cells ring-boundary layer and close to the neurons (Fig. 7C(c)). Several NFs were surrounded by the cytoplasm of glial cells (Fig. 7F(f2)). At low magnification, it was found that the network of TC-MYs was centered on ganglia, wrapping around the ganglionic neurons, as well as spreading to surround the muscle layers (Fig. 7G–I). A group of TC-MYs and telopodes were interwoven into a network, surrounded the BVs (Fig. 8A–C; Fig. 8A(a)–C(c)). TC-CMs clustered in the interstitial space between the smooth muscle bundles, and were seemly wrapped around the whole smooth muscle bundle (Fig. 9A–C). The same results were observed for TC-LMs (Fig. 10A–C). At high magnification, TCs were characterized specifically as spindle-shaped (Fig. 6A(a)–C(c) and Fig. 10A(a)–C(c)) and triangular- (Fig. 9A(a)–C(c)) cells with a nucleus and several elongated bead-like projections, which was consistent with our TEM analysis. Notably, podoms were labeled as obvious bright spots (Fig. 7C(c);Fig. 8C(c); Fig. 9C(c); Fig. 10C(c)).

Fig 5.

Fig 5.

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Double-immunofluorescence of CD34+ (green in A)/Vimentin+(red in B) labeled TCs (C). TCs were abundantly distributed in the myenteric plexus (TC-MYs) and interconnected to form a complex network, as well as within the circular and longitudinal muscle layer (TC-CMs and TC-LMs). Square marked areas in (A, B, C) are enlarged in (a, b, c), respectively. (c) The TC-CMs clearly surrounded each smooth muscle bundle. V: BVs; CM: circular muscle layer; LM: longitudinal muscle layer; MY: myenteric plexus. Bar = 100 μm in A–C and a–c.

Fig 6.

Fig 6.

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CD34+ (green in A)/Vimentin+ (red in B) labeled TC-MYs (C). TC-MYs were widely distributed in intermuscular connective tissue, forming a network. Square marked areas in (A, B, C) are enlarged in (a, b, c), respectively. (a–c) The spindle-shaped TC1 with two long processes was close to both TC2 and TC3. Nucleus (arrows) and processes (arrowheads). SCM: smooth muscle cells. Bar = 10 μm in A–C, a–c.

Fig 7.

Fig 7.

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Close relationship between TC-MYs, glial cells, ganglionic neurons and NFs. Square marked areas in (A–C; D1,2; E1,2; F1,2) are enlarged in (a-c; d1,2; e1,2; f1,2), respectively. TC-MYs were visible as CD34+/Vimentin+ cells (arrowheads), whereas glial cells displayed vimentin +/CD34- cells profile (arrows). PGP9.5 was used as a neurospecific marker for neurons (stars) and NFs (bent arrow) labeling. (a–c) TC-MYs close to the ring-boundary composed of several glial cells. (d1–f1) The ring-boundary of glial cells encircled each ganglionic neurons. (d2–f2) The cytoplasm of the glial cells embedding the small NFs. (G–I) Cluster distribution of TC-MYs with interweaving structure and wrapping around the ganglionic neurons and smooth muscle bundles. (c) A bright spot showing podom (circle). Bar = 10 μm in A–F; Bar = 20 μm in G–I.

Fig 8.

Fig 8.

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CD34+ (green in A)/Vimentin+ (red in B) labeled TC-MYs (C), surrounding the BVs. (a, b, c) A group of TC-MYs and telopodes forming a network around the BVs. Square marked areas in (A, B, C) are enlarged in (a, b, c), respectively. Nucleus (arrows), processes (arrowheads), vascular endothelial cells (white stars), podom (circle). Bar = 10 μm in A–C, a–c.

Fig 9.

Fig 9.

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CD34+ (green in A)/Vimentin+ (red in B) labelled TC-CMs, bordering the whole smooth muscle bundles with long processes. (C) Square marked areas in (A, B, C) are enlarged in (a, b, c), respectively. (a–c) A triangular-shaped TC-CM with one process, near other telopodes. (c) A podom, marked as a bright spot (circle). Nucleus (arrow) and processes (arrowhead). Bar = 10 μm in A–C, a–c.

Fig 10.

Fig 10.

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CD34+ (green in A)/Vimentin+ (red in B) labelled TC-LMs, around the smooth muscle bundles. Square marked areas in (A, B, C) are enlarged in (a, b, c), respectively. (a–c) A spindle-shaped TC with two long processes, close to other telopodes. (c) A podom, marked as a bright spot (circle). Nucleus (arrow) and process (arrowhead). Bar = 20 μm in A–C, a–c.

Discussion

In the GIT of monogastric animals, TCs have been regarded as a new cell type, different from other interstitial cells1,17,18,37. By using traditional TEM methods and the most recommended immunolabeling markers, the present study shows, for the first time, the existence of TCs in the rumen muscle layers. Ultrastructurally, TC morphology in the goat rumen was similar to that described in previous reports on single-stomach animals such as the rabbit jejunum human urinary tract12,17,38. TC has a small cell body with several long and thin cellular projections (called telopodes). Telopodes display thin segments (podomers) and dilated segments (podoms). Podoms contained mitochondria, RER and caveolae. Ultrastructurally, we distinguished the TCs and fibroblasts in this study. As previously reported, fibroblasts appeared short with thick projections, and their cytoplasm contained extensive RER6,35,39. In addition, we used IF—a fairly reliable method—to demonstrate that TCs in the muscle layers of goat rumen, like TCs in other locations, were labeled as CD34+/Vimentin+ cells4,15,40. Moreover, Vannucchi et al. established that TCs in the human GIT can be identified by CD34/PDGFR, while being negative for c-kit/CD117, making TCs and c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) clearly distinguishable12. However, in our study, some differences could be observed. Vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker, cytoplasmic protein) was expressed mainly in the cell body and only rarely in the prolongations. On the other hand, CD34 (hematopoietic stem cell marker, membrane protein) was expressed almost everywhere, even in the fine segments of telopodes where vimentin expression was almost negligible. This may be due to the telopode, especially its fine segments, containing little cytoplasm. In addition, our other results also supported this hypothesis: Vimentin could be expressed strongly in the prolongations of glial cells, but extremely weakly within telopodes. Remarkably, some bright spots were detected on the long and slender projections of TCs, indicating podomes.

The role of TCs has not yet been unraveled, although various speculations have been made. TCs are considered as a new cell-type due to their long and bead-like prolongations allowing interaction with themselves via homojunctions. These cells can also interact with other structures through heterojunctions, thus constituting a 3D-network that may be related to structural support as well as intercellular signaling locally, or, at a longer distance, directly or indirectly through the TC network4,6,9,37. Specifically, TC networks were reduced or even completely absent around smooth muscle bundles and myenteric plexus ganglia under conditions of disease such as ulcerative colitis19, Crohn’s disease20 as well as systemic sclerosis21, emphasizing the importance of the TC network from the reverse side. As mentioned above, these hypotheses are consistent with our experimental results. In addition, the data reported here also illustrate that TCs significantly surround rumen-nerve tracts, smooth muscle bundles and BVs. This characteristic has also been extensively reported in single-stomach animals1–3,5,7,11–15. In particular, TCs located in the internal and external surfaces of ganglia, surrounding ganglionic neurons, follow the glial cells layer as well as encompassing the entire ganglion, respectively. TCs-glial cells-ganglionic neurons may form an functional units regulating the microenvironment of the myenteric plexus14,32,41.

Popescu and Faussone-Pellegrini suggested that TCs are involved in intercellular signaling by secreting small signal molecules (e.g., proteins or RNAs, microRNA included) and by shedding microvesicles within the extracellular matrix1. Furthermore, this function was also proposed to occur in the myocardium35,42. A series of results evidenced the importance of EVs in TCs-mediated intercellular communication1,35,42,43. It has been shown that TCs can release extracellular vesicles into the stromal space of different organs1,35,42,43. Studies revealed that the extracellular vesicles were frequently derived from projections1,35,42,43 and rarely from the body of TC in culture44. However, the extracellular vesicles observed in this study were released only by the telopodes in the muscle layers of the goat rumen. A possible explanation is that these observations are influenced by the section angle and the sites of sample cutting. Fertig et al. described that cardiac TCs in culture release extracellular vesicles of different sizes: exosomes (45 ± 8 nm), ectosomes (128 ± 28 nm) and multivesicular cargos (1 ± 0.4 µm)44. In the present work, the secretory vesicles were observed both in the intracellular of telopodes and within extracellular space between telopodes and telopodes, NFs, SMCs as well as CFs. Extracellular vesicles were found in the vicinity of the telopodes, near the NFs, SMCs and CFs, or as buds originating from the telopodes plasma membrane. On the other hand, MVBs were observed in the cytoplasm of telopodes. Interestingly, some multivesicular cargos were released from telopodes, close to NFs. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that telopode shape may be responsible for the delivery of secretory vesicles to the extracellular matrix, contributing to intercellular communication between telopodes and telopodes, NFs, SMCs as well as CFs, either locally or over a longer distance.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that TCs are present in abundance in the muscle layers of the goat rumen and establish close connections with telopodes and other rumen structures (ganglion neurons, nerve bundles, BVs, CFs, NFs, and SMCs). Intracellular and extracellular secretory vesicles from TCs were also observed. On the basis of their distribution and morphology, we suggest that TCs may be involved in structural support and intercellular communication between TCs and telopodes as well as the other rumen structures. This study provides new perspectives for understanding digestion in ruminants as well as the associated nutrient absorption. However, further studies are required to decipher the underlying mechanisms.

Footnotes

Ethical Approval: This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nanjing Agricultural University, China.

Statement of Human and Animal Rights: All experiments were conducted according to the “Guidelines on Ethical Treatment of Experimental Animals” by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government (SYXK (SU) 2010-0005).

Statement of Informed Consent: There are no human subjects in this article and informed consent is not applicable.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the grants from National Key Research and Development Plan (No.2018YFD0501902), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (No. Y0201700174), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31772688 and No. 31402155), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project (No. 2016M591861), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China.

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