Telocytes (TCs) are interstitial cells previously characterized by electron microscopy as cells with very long extensions (telopodes, Tps), present in numerous organs, including the heart interstitial space and cardiac stem cell niche. TCs have several particular morphological and phenotypical properties, as well as specific gene expression and proteomic profiles which define TCs as a distinct type of interstitial cells, different from fibroblasts. Given the fact that TCs interact through Tps with identical cells generating a network, as well as with other type of cells, including vascular...