Telocytes (TCs) are very long, non-neuronal, somatic cells whose function is widely believed to be involved in providing connections between different cells within the body. The cellular characteristics of TCs in various organs have been studied by immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence and electron microscopy in different vertebrate species, and here we investigate the proposed properties of these cells in the context of the “meridian” in Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM). The results show that TCs and their long extensions, telopodes (Tps) develop a complicated network by homo- and heterocellular junctions in the connective tissue throughout the body, which can connect the skin with distant organs. In concept, this is the analogue of ancient meridian maps connecting skin acupoints with the viscera. Various active cells and extracellular vesicles including exosomes move along Tps, which, along with developed mitochondria within the podoms of Tps, may account for the structural evidence for “Qi” (vital energy and signal communication) in CTM. Morphological associations of TCs with the nerve, vascular, endocrine, and immune systems are also compatible with previously proposed meridian theories in CTM. Close relationships exist between TCs and collagen fiber bundles and some structures in skin fascia provide the microanatomical support for acupuncture treatment based on the meridian principle. The dynamicity in the distribution and structure of TCs reflects the plasticity of the meridian at the cellular level. As the same attribute, both the meridian and the TC have been associated with various diseases. Here, we summarize structural analogues between the TC and the meridian, suggesting that TCs have the cytological characteristics of the CTM meridian. We, therefore, hypothesize that TCs are the “essence cells” of the CTM meridian, which can connect and integrate different cells and structures in the connective tissue.

中文翻译：

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脊椎动物不同器官的细胞：中医经络的潜在精细胞

端粒细胞 (TC) 是非常长的非神经元体细胞，其功能被广泛认为与提供体内不同细胞之间的连接有关。已通过免疫组织化学、双免疫荧光和电子显微镜在不同脊椎动物物种中研究了不同器官中 TC 的细胞特征，在此我们研究了这些细胞在中医“经络”（CTM）背景下的拟议特性。结果表明，TCs及其长的延伸部分，端足（Tps）通过全身结缔组织中的同细胞和异细胞连接形成了一个复杂的网络，可以将皮肤与远处的器官连接起来。从概念上讲，这类似于古代经络图，将皮肤穴位与内脏连接起来。包括外泌体在内的各种活性细胞和细胞外囊泡沿着 Tps 移动，这与 Tps 豆荚内发育的线粒体一起，可能解释了 CTM 中“气”（生命能量和信号通信）的结构证据。TCs 与神经、血管、内分泌和免疫系统的形态学关联也与先前提出的 CTM 经络理论相一致。TCs与胶原纤维束之间存在密切的关系，皮肤筋膜中的一些结构为基于经络原理的针灸治疗提供了显微解剖学支持。TCs分布和结构的动态性反映了经络在细胞水平上的可塑性。作为同一个属性，经络和TC都与各种疾病有关。这里，我们总结了TC与经络之间的结构类似物，表明TC具有CTM经络的细胞学特征。因此，我们假设 TCs 是 CTM 经络的“本质细胞”，它可以连接和整合结缔组织中的不同细胞和结构。