Immunohistochemical biomarkers and distribution of telocytes in ApoE(−/−) mice

Telocytes had been identified as a peculiar stromal cell type implicated in tissue homeostasis and the development and pathophysiology of diseases. Telocyte existed in most organs and tissues in humans and animals. However, few studies have examined telocytes in ApoE gene deficient mice. In our studies, we verified the existence, the morphology and immunohistochemical characteristics of telocytes in critical organs of the ApoE(−/−) mice. Male adult ApoE(−/−) mice were selected as an experimental model. Immunohistochemical bio‐markers, such as CD34, CD117, CD28, Vimentin and PDGFR‐α were utilized to determine the distribution and morphology of telocytes in the heart, liver and kidney. Telocyte expressed positively for CD34 and CD117, and partial telocyte and telopode expressed positively for PDGFR‐α in heart and liver, but negatively in kidney. Double immunofluorescence assays for CD28/Vimentin, CD34/CD117 and CD34/PDGFR‐α were used to demonstrate the biochemistry speciality of telocytes, respectively. The evidence of telocytes in the ApoE(‐/‐) mice is the first step of our sturdy, which aims to demonstrate changes in telocytes in atherosclerosis in this animal model.