BACKGROUND The oral mucosa protects the underlying tissue from mechanical damage as well as from the entry of exogenous particles and microorganisms. Telocytes (TCs) are disputed stromal cells featuring peculiarly long and thin processes with uneven calibre known as telopodes, which play a number of roles within the interstitia. The present study aimed to test the key markers recommended for discriminating between TCs and false TCs in samples of normal oral mucosa. METHODS Archived paraffin-embedded oral mucosa samples were tested by means of immunohistochemistry with the following markers: CD34, D2-40, CD31 and CD68. RESULTS The epithelial expression of CD68, D2-40 and CD34 was detected. Two subsets of CD34-expressing stromal cells were identified, large cells with telopodial processes, presumably of the hematopoietic lineage, and spindle-shaped TC-like cells. Macrophages and TC-like cells within the lamina propria expressed CD68. The lymphatic endothelia were found to express CD31 and D2-40, but not CD34. Sprouting lymphangiogenesis was demonstrated by the lymphatic endothelial tip cells, which were projecting thin processes within the connective stroma. CONCLUSIONS The epithelial expression of CD68 suggests the professional phagocytic potential of the oral epithelium. Regarding the TCs and TC-like cells in the oral mucosa they could not be accurately distinguished from other possible cell types, neither on morphological basis (evidence of telopodes) nor by use of panels of markers which include CD34.

中文翻译：

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口腔粘膜：上皮专业吞噬细胞，淋巴管，tel细胞和假tel细胞。

背景技术口腔粘膜保护下面的组织免受机械损伤以及防止外源颗粒和微生物进入。telocytes（TCs）是有争议的基质细胞，具有异常长而稀疏的过程，口径不均匀，称为端粒，在间质中起许多作用。本研究旨在测试推荐用于区分正常口腔粘膜样品中TC和假TC的关键标志物。方法采用免疫组织化学方法用以下标记物检测存档的石蜡包埋的口腔粘膜样品：CD34，D2-40，CD31和CD68。结果检测到CD68，D2-40和CD34的上皮表达。鉴定出两个亚群表达CD34的基质细胞，大细胞具有端脚突，大概是造血谱系，和纺锤形的TC样细胞。固有层中的巨噬细胞和TC样细胞表达CD68。发现淋巴管内皮细胞表达CD31和D2-40，但不表达CD34。淋巴管内皮尖端细胞显示出发芽的淋巴管生成，该细胞在结缔基质内投射出稀薄的过程。结论CD68的上皮表达提示口腔上皮具有专业的吞噬能力。关于口腔粘膜中的TC和TC样细胞，无论是基于形态学（端粒的证据）还是通过使用包括CD34的标记物组，都无法将它们与其他可能的细胞类型准确区分。淋巴管内皮尖端细胞显示出发芽的淋巴管生成，该细胞在结缔基质内投射出稀薄的过程。结论CD68的上皮表达提示口腔上皮具有专业的吞噬能力。关于口腔粘膜中的TC和TC样细胞，无论是基于形态学（端粒的证据）还是通过使用包括CD34的标记物组，都无法将它们与其他可能的细胞类型准确区分。淋巴管内皮尖端细胞显示出发芽的淋巴管生成，这些细胞在结缔基质内投射出稀薄的过程。结论CD68的上皮表达提示口腔上皮具有专业的吞噬潜能。关于口腔粘膜中的TC和TC样细胞，无论是基于形态学（端粒的证据）还是通过使用包括CD34的一组标志物，都无法将它们与其他可能的细胞类型准确区分。