| Grant number: | 18/08945-8 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | July 01, 2019 |
| Effective date (End): | June 30, 2021 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology |
| Principal Investigator: | Hernandes Faustino de Carvalho |
| Grantee: | Bruno Domingos Azevedo Sanches |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil |
Abstract The origin of myofibroblasts and telocytes in the prostate is still unclear. It also unknown whether a single mesenchymal progenitor cell capable of giving rise to fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts and telocytes exist. In addition, little is known about the interrelationships among these cell types of the prostate stroma. Telocytes are CD34-positive interstitial cells, which were characterized in the prostatic stroma and in several other organs. It was thought that these cells could originate the myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, but there is no evidence to prove these ideas. The exact function of these cells in the prostate is still elusive. The present project aims at investigating the existence of a common mesenchymal progenitor for smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts, telocytes and prostatic fibroblasts, and the possible interrelationships among these cell types, in ex vivo and in vitro experiments. A second objective is to evaluate a possible supportive role of prostatic telocytes in the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. The experimental data will be important for a better understanding of progeny relationships among smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as for sheding light on a network of interrelationships between these cell types. Finally, the data might suggest new therapeutic targets for tissue regeneration, which is important for the treatment of degenerative diseases of the smooth muscle, as well as to target the formation of myofibroblasts, which are associated with fibrosis and even cancer. | |