Abstract
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are membranous conduits for direct cell-to-cell communication. Until the past decade, little had been known about their composite structure, function, and mechanisms of action in both normal physiologic conditions as well as in disease states. Now TNTs are attracting increasing interest for their key role(s) in the pathogenesis of disease, including neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and cancer. The field of TNT biology is still in its infancy, but inroads have been made in determining potential mechanisms and function of these remarkable structures. For example, TNTs function as critical conduits for cellular exchange of information; thus, in cancer, they may play an important role in critical pathophysiologic features of the disease, including cellular invasion, metastasis, and emergence of chemotherapy drug resistance. Although the TNT field is still in a nascent stage, we propose that TNTs can be investigated as novel targets for drug-based treatment of cancer and other diseases.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 699-707 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | FEBS Journal |
| Volume | 284 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2017 |
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Keywords
- 3D cell biology
- 3D confocal imaging
- in vivo imaging
- intercellular communication
- intercellular transfer
- membrane tubes
- tunneling nanotubes
Cite this
Lost in translation : applying 2D intercellular communication via tunneling nanotubes in cell culture to physiologically relevant 3D microenvironments. / Lou, Emil; O'Hare, Patrick; Subramanian, Subree; Steer, Clifford J.
In: FEBS Journal, Vol. 284, No. 5, 01.03.2017, p. 699-707.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Lost in translation
T2 - applying 2D intercellular communication via tunneling nanotubes in cell culture to physiologically relevant 3D microenvironments
AU - Lou, Emil
AU - O'Hare, Patrick
AU - Subramanian, Subree
AU - Steer, Clifford J
PY - 2017/3/1
Y1 - 2017/3/1
N2 - Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are membranous conduits for direct cell-to-cell communication. Until the past decade, little had been known about their composite structure, function, and mechanisms of action in both normal physiologic conditions as well as in disease states. Now TNTs are attracting increasing interest for their key role(s) in the pathogenesis of disease, including neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and cancer. The field of TNT biology is still in its infancy, but inroads have been made in determining potential mechanisms and function of these remarkable structures. For example, TNTs function as critical conduits for cellular exchange of information; thus, in cancer, they may play an important role in critical pathophysiologic features of the disease, including cellular invasion, metastasis, and emergence of chemotherapy drug resistance. Although the TNT field is still in a nascent stage, we propose that TNTs can be investigated as novel targets for drug-based treatment of cancer and other diseases.
AB - Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are membranous conduits for direct cell-to-cell communication. Until the past decade, little had been known about their composite structure, function, and mechanisms of action in both normal physiologic conditions as well as in disease states. Now TNTs are attracting increasing interest for their key role(s) in the pathogenesis of disease, including neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and cancer. The field of TNT biology is still in its infancy, but inroads have been made in determining potential mechanisms and function of these remarkable structures. For example, TNTs function as critical conduits for cellular exchange of information; thus, in cancer, they may play an important role in critical pathophysiologic features of the disease, including cellular invasion, metastasis, and emergence of chemotherapy drug resistance. Although the TNT field is still in a nascent stage, we propose that TNTs can be investigated as novel targets for drug-based treatment of cancer and other diseases.
KW - 3D cell biology
KW - 3D confocal imaging
KW - in vivo imaging
KW - intercellular communication
KW - intercellular transfer
KW - membrane tubes
KW - tunneling nanotubes
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85006512009&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/febs.13946
DO - 10.1111/febs.13946
M3 - Review article
VL - 284
SP - 699
EP - 707
JO - FEBS Journal
JF - FEBS Journal
SN - 1742-464X
IS - 5
ER -