Human epicardium: ultrastructural ancestry of mesothelium and mesenchymal cells

The human sub‐epicardial area contains an unexplored cellular population under a layer of mesothelial cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the existence of interstitial Cajal‐like cells (ICLCs), isolated smooth muscle cells (iSMC) and mesenchymal cells besides other well‐known cells. The presence of iSMC in the sub‐epicardial space is quite unique and could explain why epicardial‐derived cells isolated from human epicardium generate smooth muscle cells in culture. Mesenchymal cells, guided by ICLCs, were found migrating from sub‐epicardial area in the mesothelial layer. These findings suggest that epithelial‐mesenchymal transition is not a common process involved in cardiac regeneration in vivo.

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