Telocytes in the Tumor Microenvironment

Abstract

There are several theories explaining the communication between cells in the context of tumor development. Over the years, interactions between normal and transformed cells have been observed. Generally, all types of cells make equal contributions to the formation of the tumor microenvironment - a location of primary oncogenesis. To date, several studies have reported the role of telocytes in cancer development, and many publications have emphasized the direct and indirect involvement of telocytes in angiogenesis; signaling through the secretion of extracellular vesicles, growth factors, and bioactive molecules; fibrosis development and extracellular matrix production; tissue repair and regeneration; and immune responses. Considering the main components of the tumor microenvironment, we will discuss the features of telocytes and their possible involvement in local tissue homeostasis.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; CD34; Cancer; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular vesicles; Hypoxia; Oncogenesis; PDGFRα; Proliferation; Stem cell niche; Stromal synapses; Telocytes; Telopodes; Tumor microenvironment; Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).