Prions hijack tunnelling nanotubes for intercellular spread

Emerging roles of extracellular vesicles in polyglutamine diseases: Mutant protein transmission, therapeutic potential, and diagnostics

Polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's disease and several types of spinocerebellar ataxias, which are caused by aggregation and accumulation of the disease-causative proteins with an abnormally expanded PolyQ stretch. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane particles that are released from cells, including exosomes, microvesicles, and other extracellular particles. Recent studies have suggested that the PolyQ proteins, which are the disease-causative proteins of PolyQ diseases, and its aggregates are secreted via EVs, similar to the aggregation-prone proteins associated with other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The PolyQ proteins that are secreted from cells can transmit intercellularly, which may contribute to pathological propagation of the PolyQ protein aggregates in patient brain, and therefore, the pathological roles of EVs in the onset and progression of PolyQ diseases has attracted much attention. EVs may also mediate intercellular transfer of heat shock proteins and other neuroprotective factors, which are beneficial for protein homeostasis and cell survival, and thus, have therapeutic potential for the neurodegenerative diseases including PolyQ diseases. Furthermore, because EVs contain not only the disease-associated proteins, but also various proteins, miRNAs and other components, and changes in the levels of these contents might reflect pathological changes, EVs derived from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine would be a potential source of minimally invasive diagnostic biomarkers that report disease-associated changes in PolyQ diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the pathological roles of EVs in PolyQ diseases, and therapeutic and diagnostic potential of EVs for these diseases. Elucidation of the pathological and physiological roles of EVs would lead to identification of a proper therapeutic target that would not interfere the protective roles of EVs for cell survival but suppress pathological propagation of the disease-causative proteins in PolyQ disease.

Nanotechnology Tools Enabling Biological Discovery

Over the years, the engineering aspect of nanotechnology has been significantly exploited. Medical intervention strategies have been developed by leveraging existing molecular biology knowledge and combining it with nanotechnology tools to improve outcomes. However, little attention has been paid to harnessing the strengths of nanotechnology as a biological discovery tool. Fundamental understanding of controlling dynamic biological processes at the subcellular level is key to developing personalized therapeutic and diagnostic interventions. Single-cell analyses using intravital microscopy, expansion microscopy, and microfluidic-based platforms have been helping to better understand cell heterogeneity in healthy and diseased cells, a major challenge in oncology. Also, single-cell analysis has revealed critical signaling pathways and biological intracellular components with key biological functions. The physical manipulation enabled by nanotools can allow real-time monitoring of biological changes at a single-cell level by sampling intracellular fluid from the same cell. The formation of intercellular highways by nanotube-like structures has important clinical implications such as metastasis development. The integration of nanomaterials into optical and molecular imaging techniques has rendered valuable morphological, structural, and biological information. Nanoscale imaging unravels mechanisms of temporality by enabling the visualization of nanoscale dynamics never observed or measured between individual cells with standard biological techniques. The exceptional sensitivity of nanozymes, artificial enzymes, make them perfect components of the next-generation mobile diagnostics devices. Here, we highlight these impactful cancer-related biological discoveries enabled by nanotechnology and producing a paradigm shift in cancer research and oncology.

Extracellular vesicles with diagnostic and therapeutic potential for prion diseases

Prion diseases (PrD) or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are invariably fatal and pathogenic neurodegenerative disorders caused by the self-propagated misfolding of cellular prion protein (PrP^C) to the neurotoxic pathogenic form (PrP^TSE) via a yet undefined but profoundly complex mechanism. Despite several decades of research on PrD, the basic understanding of where and how PrP^C is transformed to the misfolded, aggregation-prone and pathogenic PrP^TSE remains elusive. The primary clinical hallmarks of PrD include vacuolation-associated spongiform changes and PrP^TSE accumulation in neural tissue together with astrogliosis. The difficulty in unravelling the disease mechanisms has been related to the rare occurrence and long incubation period (over decades) followed by a very short clinical phase (few months). Additional challenge in unravelling the disease is implicated to the unique nature of the agent, its complexity and strain diversity, resulting in the heterogeneity of the clinical manifestations and potentially diverse disease mechanisms. Recent advances in tissue isolation and processing techniques have identified novel means of intercellular communication through extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contribute to PrP^TSE transmission in PrD. This review will comprehensively discuss PrP^TSE transmission and neurotoxicity, focusing on the role of EVs in disease progression, biomarker discovery and potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of PrD.

Rhes protein transits from neuron to neuron and facilitates mutant huntingtin spreading in the brain

Rhes (RASD2) is a thyroid hormone-induced gene that regulates striatal motor activity and promotes neurodegeneration in Huntington disease (HD) and tauopathy. Rhes moves and transports the HD protein, polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin (mHTT), via tunneling nanotube (TNT)-like membranous protrusions between cultured neurons. However, similar intercellular Rhes transportation in the intact brain was unknown. Here, we report that Rhes induces TNT-like protrusions in the striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and transported between dopamine-1 receptor (D1R)-MSNs and D2R-MSNs of intact striatum and organotypic brain slices. Notably, mHTT is robustly transported within the striatum and from the striatum to the cortical areas in the brain, and Rhes deletion diminishes such transport. Moreover, Rhes moves to the cortical regions following restricted expression in the MSNs of the striatum. Thus, Rhes is a first striatum-enriched protein demonstrated to move and transport mHTT between neurons and brain regions, providing new insights into interneuronal protein transport in the brain.

Propagation and Dissemination Strategies of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents in Mammalian Cells

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion disorders are fatal infectious diseases that cause characteristic spongiform degeneration in the central nervous system. The causative agent, the so-called prion, is an unconventional infectious agent that propagates by converting the host-encoded cellular prion protein PrP into ordered protein aggregates with infectious properties. Prions are devoid of coding nucleic acid and thus rely on the host cell machinery for propagation. While it is now established that, in addition to PrP, other cellular factors or processes determine the susceptibility of cell lines to prion infection, exact factors and cellular processes remain broadly obscure. Still, cellular models have uncovered important aspects of prion propagation and revealed intercellular dissemination strategies shared with other intracellular pathogens. Here, we summarize what we learned about the processes of prion invasion, intracellular replication and subsequent dissemination from ex vivo cell models.

Effects of oligomer toxicity, fibril toxicity and fibril spreading in synucleinopathies

Protein misfolding is a general hallmark of protein deposition diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, in which different types of aggregated species (oligomers, protofibrils and fibrils) are generated by the cells. Despite widespread interest, the relationship between oligomers and fibrils in the aggregation process and spreading remains elusive. A large variety of experimental evidences supported the idea that soluble oligomeric species of different proteins might be more toxic than the larger fibrillar forms. Furthermore, the lack of correlation between the presence of the typical pathological inclusions and disease sustained this debate. However, recent data show that the β-sheet core of the α-Synuclein (αSyn) fibrils is unable to establish persistent interactions with the lipid bilayers, but they can release oligomeric species responsible for an immediate dysfunction of the recipient neurons. Reversibly, such oligomeric species could also contribute to pathogenesis via neuron-to-neuron spreading by their direct cell-to-cell transfer or by generating new fibrils, following their neuronal uptake. In this Review, we discuss the various mechanisms of cellular dysfunction caused by αSyn, including oligomer toxicity, fibril toxicity and fibril spreading.

Intercellular Communication in the Brain through Tunneling Nanotubes

Simple Summary

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are a means of cell communication which have been recently discovered. They allow the intercellular trafficking of many types of cellular compounds ranging from ions, such as Ca²⁺, to whole organelles such as mitochondria. TNTs are found in many tissues, both in physiological and pathological conditions. They are also found in the brain where they contribute to brain development and function and also to degenerative diseases and glioma.

Abstract

Intercellular communication is essential for tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding how cells interact with each other is paramount, as crosstalk between cells is often dysregulated in diseases and can contribute to their progression. Cells communicate with each other through several modalities, including paracrine secretion and specialized structures ensuring physical contact between them. Among these intercellular specialized structures, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are now recognized as a means of cell-to-cell communication through the exchange of cellular cargo, controlled by a variety of biological triggers, as described here. Intercellular communication is fundamental to brain function. It allows the dialogue between the many cells, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, glial cells, microglia, necessary for the proper development and function of the brain. We highlight here the role of TNTs in connecting these cells, for the physiological functioning of the brain and in pathologies such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and gliomas. Understanding these processes could pave the way for future therapies.

Deciphering the prion-like behavior of pathogenic protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are hitherto classified based on their core clinical features, the anatomical distribution of neurodegeneration, and the cell populations mainly affected. On the other hand, the wealth of neuropathological, genetic, molecular and biochemical studies have identified the existence of distinct insoluble protein aggregates in the affected brain regions. These findings have spread the use of a collective term, proteinopathy, for neurodegenerative disorders with particular type of structurally altered protein accumulation. Particularly, a recent breakthrough in this field came with the discovery that these protein aggregates can transfer from one cell to another, thereby converting normal proteins to potentially toxic, misfolded species in a prion-like manner. In this review, we focus specifically on the molecular and cellular basis that underlies the seeding activity and transcellular spreading phenomenon of neurodegeneration-related protein aggregates, and discuss how these events contribute to the disease progression.

TDP-43 Pathology and Prionic Behavior in Human Cellular Models of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment. Despite advances in the molecular pathology of the characteristic histopathological markers of the disease (tau protein and β-amyloid), their translation to the clinic has not provided the expected results. Increasing evidences have demonstrated the presence of aggregates of TDP-43 (TAR DNA binding protein 43) in the postmortem brains of patients diagnosed with AD. The present research is focused on of the study of the pathological role of TDP-43 in AD. For this purpose, immortalized lymphocytes samples from patients diagnosed with different severity of sporadic AD were used and the TDP-43 pathology was analyzed against controls, looking for differences in their fragmentation, phosphorylation and cellular location using Western blot and immunocytochemical techniques. The results revealed an increase in TDP-43 fragmentation, as well as increased phosphorylation and aberrant localization of TDP-43 in the cytosolic compartment of lymphocytes of patients diagnosed with severe AD. Moreover, a fragment of approximately 25 KD was found in the extracellular medium of cells derived from severe AD individuals that seem to have prion-like characteristics. We conclude that TDP-43 plays a key role in AD pathogenesis and its cell to cell propagation.

Regulatory mechanisms of cytoneme-based morphogen transport

During development and tissue homeostasis, cells must communicate with their neighbors to ensure coordinated responses to instructional cues. Cues such as morphogens and growth factors signal at both short and long ranges in temporal- and tissue-specific manners to guide cell fate determination, provide positional information, and to activate growth and survival responses. The precise mechanisms by which such signals traverse the extracellular environment to ensure reliable delivery to their intended cellular targets are not yet clear. One model for how this occurs suggests that specialized filopodia called cytonemes extend between signal-producing and -receiving cells to function as membrane-bound highways along which information flows. A growing body of evidence supports a crucial role for cytonemes in cell-to-cell communication. Despite this, the molecular mechanisms by which cytonemes are initiated, how they grow, and how they deliver specific signals are only starting to be revealed. Herein, we discuss recent advances toward improved understanding of cytoneme biology. We discuss similarities and differences between cytonemes and other types of cellular extensions, summarize what is known about how they originate, and discuss molecular mechanisms by which their activity may be controlled in development and tissue homeostasis. We conclude by highlighting important open questions regarding cytoneme biology, and comment on how a clear understanding of their function may provide opportunities for treating or preventing disease.

Intercellular nanotubes mediate mitochondrial trafficking between cancer and immune cells

Cancer progresses by evading the immune system. Elucidating diverse immune evasion strategies is a critical step in the search for next-generation immunotherapies for cancer. Here we report that cancer cells can hijack the mitochondria from immune cells via physical nanotubes. Mitochondria are essential for metabolism and activation of immune cells. By using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, fluorophore-tagged mitochondrial transfer tracing and metabolic quantification, we demonstrate that the nanotube-mediated transfer of mitochondria from immune cells to cancer cells metabolically empowers the cancer cells and depletes the immune cells. Inhibiting the nanotube assembly machinery significantly reduced mitochondrial transfer and prevented the depletion of immune cells. Combining a farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase 1 inhibitor, namely, L-778123, which partially inhibited nanotube formation and mitochondrial transfer, with a programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor improved the antitumour outcomes in an aggressive immunocompetent breast cancer model. Nanotube-mediated mitochondrial hijacking can emerge as a novel target for developing next-generation immunotherapy agents for cancer.

Striatal Induction and Spread of the Huntington's Disease Protein: A Novel Rhes Route

The CAG/CAA expansion encoding polyQ huntingtin (mutant huntingtin [mHTT]) causes Huntington's disease (HD), which is characterized by atrophy and loss of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which are preceded by neuropathological alterations in the cortex. Previous studies have shown that mHTT can spread in the brain, but the mechanisms involved in the stereotyped degeneration and dysfunction of the neurons from the striatum to the cortex remain unclear. In this study, we found that the mHTT expression initially restricted in the striatum later spread to the cortical regions in mouse brains. Such transmission was diminished in mice that lacked the striatal-enriched protein Ras-homolog enriched in the striatum (Rhes). Rhes restricted to MSNs was also found in the cortical layers of the brain, indicating a new transmission route for the Rhes protein to the brain. Mechanistically, Rhes promotes such transmission via a direct cell-to-cell contact mediated by tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), the membranous protrusions that enable the transfer of mHTT, Rhes, and other vesicular cargoes. These transmission patterns suggest that Rhes and mHTT are likely co-transported in the brain using TNT-like cell-to-cell contacts. On the basis of these new results, a perspective is presented in this review: Rhes may ignite the mHTT transmission from the striatum that may coincide with HD onset and disease progression through an anatomically connected striato-cortical retrograde route.

Oxidative stress and Rho GTPases in the biogenesis of tunnelling nanotubes: implications in disease and therapy

Tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) are an emerging route of long-range intercellular communication that mediate cell-to-cell exchange of cargo and organelles and contribute to maintaining cellular homeostasis by balancing diverse cellular stresses. Besides their role in intercellular communication, TNTs are implicated in several ways in health and disease. Transfer of pathogenic molecules or structures via TNTs can promote the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer malignancy, and the spread of viral infection. Additionally, TNTs contribute to acquiring resistance to cancer therapy, probably via their ability to rescue cells by ameliorating various pathological stresses, such as oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptotic stress. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells play a crucial role in the rejuvenation of targeted cells with mitochondrial heteroplasmy and oxidative stress by transferring healthy mitochondria through TNTs. Recent research has focussed on uncovering the key regulatory molecules involved in the biogenesis of TNTs. However further work will be required to provide detailed understanding of TNT regulation. In this review, we discuss possible associations with Rho GTPases linked to oxidative stress and apoptotic signals in biogenesis pathways of TNTs and summarize how intercellular trafficking of cargo and organelles, including mitochondria, via TNTs plays a crucial role in disease progression and also in rejuvenation/therapy.

RalGPS2 Interacts with Akt and PDK1 Promoting Tunneling Nanotubes Formation in Bladder Cancer and Kidney Cells Microenvironment

Simple Summary

Cell-to-cell communication in the tumor microenvironment is a crucial process to orchestrate the different components of the tumoral infrastructure. Among the mechanisms of cellular interplay in cancer cells, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are dynamic connections that play an important role. The mechanism of the formation of TNTs among cells and the molecules involved in the process remain to be elucidated. In this study, we analyze several bladder cancer cell lines, representative of tumors at different stages and grades. We demonstrate that TNTs are formed only by mid or high-stage cell lines that show muscle-invasive properties and that they actively transport mitochondria and proteins. The formation of TNTs is triggered by stressful conditions and starts with the assembly of a specific multimolecular complex. In this study, we characterize some of the protein components of the TNTs complex, as they are potential novel molecular targets for future therapies aimed at counteracting tumor progression.

Abstract

RalGPS2 is a Ras-independent Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for RalA GTPase that is involved in several cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization. Previously, we demonstrated that RalGPS2 also plays a role in the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in bladder cancer 5637 cells. In particular, TNTs are a novel mechanism of cell–cell communication in the tumor microenvironment, playing a central role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in TNTs formation still need to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that mid and high-stage bladder cancer cell lines have functional TNTs, which can transfer mitochondria. Moreover, using confocal fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we show in 5637 cells that TNTs mediate the trafficking of RalA protein and transmembrane MHC class III protein leukocyte-specific transcript 1 (LST1). Furthermore, we show that RalGPS2 is essential for nanotubes generation, and stress conditions boost its expression both in 5637 and HEK293 cell lines. Finally, we prove that RalGPS2 interacts with Akt and PDK1, in addition to LST1 and RalA, leading to the formation of a complex that promotes nanotubes formation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that in the tumor microenvironment, RalGPS2 orchestrates the assembly of multimolecular complexes that drive the formation of TNTs.

Manipulation of Multiple Cell-Cell Interactions by Tunable DNA Scaffold Networks

Manipulation of cell-cell interactions via cell surface engineering has potential biomedical applications in tissue engineering and cell therapy. However, manipulation of the comprehensive and multiple intercellular interactions remains a challenge and missing elements. Herein, utilizing a DNA triangular prism (TP) and a branched polymer (BP) as functional modules, we fabricate tunable DNA scaffold networks on the cell surface. The responsiveness of cell-cell recognition, aggregation and dissociation could be modulated by aptamer-functionalized DNA scaffold networks with high accuracy and specificity. By regulating the DNA scaffold networks coated on the cell surface, controlled intercellular molecular transportation is achieved. Our tunable network provides a simple and extendible strategy which addresses a current need in cell surface engineering to precisely manipulate cell-cell interactions and shows promise as a general tool for controllable cell behavior.

Tunneling nanotubes and related structures: molecular mechanisms of formation and function

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are F-actin-based, membrane-enclosed tubular connections between animal cells that transport a variety of cellular cargo. Over the last 15 years since their discovery, TNTs have come to be recognized as key players in normal cell communication and organism development, and are also exploited for the spread of various microbial pathogens and major diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. TNTs have also been proposed as modalities for disseminating therapeutic drugs between cells. Despite the rapidly expanding and wide-ranging relevance of these structures in both health and disease, there is a glaring dearth of molecular mechanistic knowledge regarding the formation and function of these important but enigmatic structures. A series of fundamental steps are essential for the formation of functional nanotubes. The spatiotemporally controlled and directed modulation of cortical actin dynamics would be required to ensure outward F-actin polymerization. Local plasma membrane deformation to impart negative curvature and membrane addition at a rate commensurate with F-actin polymerization would enable outward TNT elongation. Extrinsic tactic cues, along with cognate intrinsic signaling, would be required to guide and stabilize the elongating TNT towards its intended target, followed by membrane fusion to create a functional TNT. Selected cargoes must be transported between connected cells through the action of molecular motors, before the TNT is retracted or destroyed. This review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating these steps, also highlighting areas that deserve future attention.

Alpha-Synuclein and Cognitive Decline in Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in elderly people. It is characterized by the aggregation of misfolded alpha-synuclein throughout the nervous system. Aside from cardinal motor symptoms, cognitive impairment is one of the most disabling non-motor symptoms that occurs during the progression of the disease. The accumulation and spreading of alpha-synuclein pathology from the brainstem to limbic and neocortical structures is correlated with emerging cognitive decline in PD. This review summarizes the genetic and pathophysiologic relationship between alpha-synuclein and cognitive impairment in PD, together with potential areas of biomarker advancement.

Extracellular Vesicles Physiological Role and the Particular Case of Disease-Spreading Mechanisms in Polyglutamine Diseases

Recent research demonstrated pathological spreading of the disease-causing proteins from one focal point across other brain regions for some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Spreading mediated by extracellular vesicles is one of the proposed disease-spreading mechanisms. Extracellular vesicles are cell membrane-derived vesicles, used by cells for cell-to-cell communication and excretion of toxic components. Importantly, extracellular vesicles carrying pathological molecules, when internalized by "healthy" cells, may trigger pathological pathways and, consequently, promote disease spreading to neighboring cells. Polyglutamine diseases are a group of genetic neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of mutant misfolded proteins carrying an expanded tract of glutamines, including Huntington's and Machado-Joseph disease. The pathological spread of the misfolded proteins or the corresponding mutant mRNA has been explored. The understanding of the disease-spreading mechanism that plays a key role in the pathology progression of these diseases can result in the development of effective therapeutic approaches to stop disease progression, arresting the spread of the toxic components and disease aggravation. Therefore, the present review's main focus is the disease-spreading mechanisms with emphasis on polyglutamine diseases and the putative role played by extracellular vesicles in this process.

High-resolution structure and strain comparison of infectious mammalian prions

Within the extensive range of self-propagating pathologic protein aggregates of mammals, prions are the most clearly infectious (e.g., ∼10⁹ lethal doses per milligram). The structures of such lethal assemblies of PrP molecules have been poorly understood. Here we report a near-atomic core structure of a brain-derived, fully infectious prion (263K strain). Cryo-electron microscopy showed amyloid fibrils assembled with parallel in-register intermolecular β sheets. Each monomer provides one rung of the ordered fibril core, with N-linked glycans and glycolipid anchors projecting outward. Thus, single monomers form the templating surface for incoming monomers at fibril ends, where prion growth occurs. Comparison to another prion strain (aRML) revealed major differences in fibril morphology but, like 263K, an asymmetric fibril cross-section without paired protofilaments. These findings provide structural insights into prion propagation, strains, species barriers, and membrane pathogenesis. This structure also helps frame considerations of factors influencing the relative transmissibility of other pathologic amyloids.

Nanotube-like processes facilitate material transfer between photoreceptors

Neuronal communication is typically mediated via synapses and gap junctions. New forms of intercellular communication, including nanotubes (NTs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs), have been described for non-neuronal cells, but their role in neuronal communication is not known. Recently, transfer of cytoplasmic material between donor and host neurons ("material transfer") was shown to occur after photoreceptor transplantation. The cellular mechanism(s) underlying this surprising finding are unknown. Here, using transplantation, primary neuronal cultures and the generation of chimeric retinae, we show for the first time that mammalian photoreceptor neurons can form open-end NT-like processes. These processes permit the transfer of cytoplasmic and membrane-bound molecules in culture and after transplantation and can mediate gain-of-function in the acceptor cells. Rarely, organelles were also observed to transfer. Strikingly, use of chimeric retinae revealed that material transfer can occur between photoreceptors in the intact adult retina. Conversely, while photoreceptors are capable of releasing EVs, at least in culture, these are taken up by glia and not by retinal neurons. Our findings provide the first evidence of functional NT-like processes forming between sensory neurons in culture and in vivo.

Mutations in the Methyltransferase Motifs of L Protein Attenuate Newcastle Disease Virus by Regulating Viral Translation and Cell-to-Cell Spread

The large (L) polymerase proteins of most nonsegmented, negative-stranded (NNS) RNA viruses have conserved methyltransferase motifs, (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E, which are important for the stabilization and translation of mRNA. However, the function of the (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs in the NNS RNA virus Newcastle disease virus (NDV) remains unclear. We observed G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs in all NDV genotypes. By using the infection cloning system of NDV rSG10 strain, recombinant NDVs with a single amino acid mutated to alanine in one motif (G-G-D or K-D-K-E) were rescued. The intracerebral pathogenicity index and mean death time assay results revealed that the G-G-D motif and K-D-K-E motif attenuate the virulence of NDV to various degrees. The replication, transcription, and translation levels of the K-D-K-E motif-mutant strains were significantly higher than those of wild-type virus owing to their altered regulation of the affinity between nucleocapsid protein and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E. When the infection dose was changed from a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 to an MOI of 0.01, the cell-to-cell spread abilities of G-G-D- and K-D-K-E-mutant strains were reduced, according to plaque assay and dynamic indirect immunofluorescence assay results. Finally, we found that NDV strains with G-G-D or K-D-K-E motif mutations had less pathogenicity in 3-week-old specific-pathogen-free chickens than wild-type NDV. Therefore, these methyltransferase motifs can affect virulence by regulating the translation and cell-to-cell spread abilities of NDV. This work provides a feasible approach for generating vaccine candidates for viruses with methyltransferase motifs.

IMPORTANCE Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an important pathogen that is widespread globally. Research on its pathogenic mechanism is an important means of improving prevention and control efforts. Our study found that a deficiency in its methyltransferase motifs (G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs) can attenuate NDV and revealed the molecular mechanism by which these motifs affect pathogenicity, which provides a new direction for the development of NDV vaccines. In addition to the (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs of many nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses, similar motifs have been found in dengue virus, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This suggests that such motifs may be present in more viruses. Our finding also provides a molecular basis for the discovery and functional study of (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs of other viruses.

Visualizing Super-Diffusion, Oligomerization, and Fibrillation of Amyloid-β Peptide Chains along Tubular Membranes

A deeper mechanistic study of peptide amyloidosis on lipid membranes with varying shapes could enhance the comprehensive understanding of the contribution of cellular structures to multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. We report here the direct visual observation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) superdiffusing along tubular lipid membranes via single-molecule tracking (SMT). Such mobility on tubular membranes is critical, as it allows Aβ chains to oligomerize and elongate into fibrils. Factors such as cholesterol that favor Aβ chains with sufficient surface residence time can promote the inter-Aβ interaction and enhance Aβ fibrillation. This study provides previously uncharacterized insights into the chain behaviors of Aβ along important biological nanowire structures, which is essential to understanding and exploring the factors of cellular shapes to manipulate peptide amyloidosis.

The potential role of glial cells in driving the prion-like transcellular propagation of tau in tauopathies

Dementia is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with tauopathies, a class of diseases defined by pathology associated with the microtubule-enriched protein, tau, as the major contributor. Although tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease and Frontotemporal dementia, are common amongst the ageing population, current effective treatment options are scarce, primarily due to the incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. The mechanisms via which aggregated forms of tau are able to propagate from one anatomical area to another to cause disease spread and progression is yet unknown. The prion-like hypothesis of tau propagation proposes that tau can propagate along neighbouring anatomical areas in a similar manner to prion proteins in prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. This hypothesis has been supported by a plethora of studies that note the ability of tau to be actively secreted by neurons, propagated and internalised by neighbouring neuronal cells, causing disease spread. Surfacing research suggests a role of reactive astrocytes and microglia in early pre-clinical stages of tauopathy through their inflammatory actions. Furthermore, both glial types are able to internalise and secrete tau from the extracellular space, suggesting a potential role in tau propagation; although understanding the physiological mechanisms by which this can occur remains poorly understood. This review will discuss the current literature around the prion-like propagation of tau, with particular emphasis on glial-mediated neuroinflammation and the contribution it may play in this propagation process.

Membrane nanotubes are ancient machinery for cell-to-cell communication and transport. Their interference with the immune system

Nanotubular connections between mammalian cell types came into the focus only two decades ago, when “live cell super-resolution imaging” was introduced. Observations of these long-time overlooked structures led to understanding mechanisms of their growth/withdrawal and exploring some key genetic and signaling factors behind their formation. Unbelievable level of multiple supportive collaboration between tumor cells undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, cross-feeding” between independent bacterial strains or “cross-dressing” collaboration of immune cells promoting cellular immune response, all via nanotubes, have been explored recently. Key factors and "calling signals" determining the spatial directionality of their growth and their overall in vivo significance, however, still remained debated. Interestingly, prokaryotes, including even ancient archaebacteria, also seem to use such NT connections for intercellular communication. Herein, we will give a brief overview of current knowledge of membrane nanotubes and depict a simple model about their possible “historical role”.

Amyloid-β induced membrane damage instigates tunneling nanotube-like conduits by p21-activated kinase dependent actin remodulation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology progresses gradually via anatomically connected brain regions. Direct transfer of amyloid-β_1-42 oligomers (oAβ) between connected neurons has been shown, however, the mechanism is not fully revealed. We observed formation of oAβ induced tunneling nanotubes (TNTs)-like nanoscaled f-actin containing membrane conduits, in differentially differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal models. Time-lapse images showed that oAβ propagate from one cell to another via TNT-like structures. Preceding the formation of TNT-like conduits, we detected oAβ_-induced plasma membrane (PM) damage and calcium-dependent repair through lysosomal-exocytosis, followed by massive endocytosis to re-establish the PM. Massive endocytosis was monitored by an influx of the membrane-staining dye TMA-DPH and PM damage was quantified by propidium iodide influx in the absence of Ca²⁺. The massive endocytosis eventually caused accumulation of internalized oAβ in Lamp1 positive multivesicular bodies/lysosomes via the actin cytoskeleton remodulating p21-activated kinase1 (PAK1) dependent endocytic pathway. Three-dimensional quantitative confocal imaging, structured illumination superresolution microscopy, and flowcytometry quantifications revealed that oAβ induces activation of phospho-PAK1, which modulates the formation of long stretched f-actin extensions between cells. Moreover, the formation of TNT-like conduits was inhibited by preventing PAK1-dependent internalization of oAβ using the small-molecule inhibitor IPA-3, a highly selective cell-permeable auto-regulatory inhibitor of PAK1. The present study reveals that the TNT-like conduits are probably instigated as a consequence of oAβ induced PM damage and repair process, followed by PAK1 dependent endocytosis and actin remodeling, probably to maintain cell surface expansion and/or membrane tension in equilibrium.

The aminoglycoside G418 hinders de novo prion infection in cultured cells

The study of prions and the discovery of candidate therapeutics for prion disease have been facilitated by the ability of prions to replicate in cultured cells. Paradigms in which prion proteins from different species are expressed in cells with low or no expression of endogenous prion protein (PrP) have expanded the range of prion strains that can be propagated. In these systems, cells stably expressing a PrP of interest are typically generated via coexpression of a selectable marker and treatment with an antibiotic. Here, we report the unexpected discovery that the aminoglycoside G418 (Geneticin) interferes with the ability of stably transfected cultured cells to become infected with prions. In G418-resistant lines of N2a or CAD5 cells, the presence of G418 reduced levels of protease-resistant PrP following challenge with the RML or 22L strains of mouse prions. G418 also interfered with the infection of cells expressing hamster PrP with the 263K strain of hamster prions. Interestingly, G418 had minimal to no effect on protease-resistant PrP levels in cells with established prion infection, arguing that G418 selectively interferes with de novo prion infection. As G418 treatment had no discernible effect on cellular PrP levels or its localization, this suggests that G418 may specifically target prion assemblies or processes involved in the earliest stages of prion infection.

Adeno-Associated Virus Expression of α-Synuclein as a Tool to Model Parkinson's Disease: Current Understanding and Knowledge Gaps

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population and is characterized by a constellation of motor and non-motor symptoms. The abnormal aggregation and spread of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is thought to underlie the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to the development of PD. It is in this context that the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to express a-syn in the rodent midbrain has become a popular tool to model SNc DA neuron loss during PD. In this review, we summarize results from two decades of experiments using AAV-mediated a-syn expression in rodents to model PD. Specifically, we outline aspects of AAV vectors that are particularly relevant to modeling a-syn dysfunction in rodent models of PD such as changes in striatal neurochemistry, a-syn biochemistry, and PD-related behaviors resulting from AAV-mediated a-syn expression in the midbrain. Finally, we discuss the emerging role of astrocytes in propagating a-syn pathology, and point to future directions for employing AAVs as a tool to better understand how astrocytes contribute to a-syn pathology during the development of PD. We envision that lessons learned from two decades of utilizing AAVs to express a-syn in the rodent brain will enable us to develop an optimized set of parameters for gaining a better understanding of how a-syn leads to the development of PD.

α-Synuclein fibrils subvert lysosome structure and function for the propagation of protein misfolding between cells through tunneling nanotubes

The accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in specific brain regions is a hallmark of synucleinopathies including Parkinson disease (PD). α-Syn aggregates propagate in a "prion-like" manner and can be transferred inside lysosomes to recipient cells through tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). However, how lysosomes participate in the spreading of α-syn aggregates is unclear. Here, by using super-resolution (SR) and electron microscopy (EM), we find that α-syn fibrils affect the morphology of lysosomes and impair their function in neuronal cells. In addition, we demonstrate that α-syn fibrils induce peripheral redistribution of lysosomes, likely mediated by transcription factor EB (TFEB), increasing the efficiency of α-syn fibrils' transfer to neighboring cells. We also show that lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) allows the seeding of soluble α-syn in cells that have taken up α-syn fibrils from the culture medium, and, more importantly, in healthy cells in coculture, following lysosome-mediated transfer of the fibrils. Moreover, we demonstrate that seeding occurs mainly at lysosomes in both donor and acceptor cells, after uptake of α-syn fibrils from the medium and following their transfer, respectively. Finally, by using a heterotypic coculture system, we determine the origin and nature of the lysosomes transferred between cells, and we show that donor cells bearing α-syn fibrils transfer damaged lysosomes to acceptor cells, while also receiving healthy lysosomes from them. These findings thus contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism by which α-syn fibrils spread through TNTs, while also revealing the crucial role of lysosomes, working as a Trojan horse for both seeding and propagation of disease pathology.

AGO2 localizes to cytokinetic protrusions in a p38-dependent manner and is needed for accurate cell division

Argonaute 2 (AGO2) is an indispensable component of the RNA-induced silencing complex, operating at the translational or posttranscriptional level. It is compartmentalized into structures such as GW- and P-bodies, stress granules and adherens junctions as well as the midbody. Here we show using immunofluorescence, image and bioinformatic analysis and cytogenetics that AGO2 also resides in membrane protrusions such as open- and close-ended tubes. The latter are cytokinetic bridges where AGO2 colocalizes at the midbody arms with cytoskeletal components such as α-Τubulin and Aurora B, and various kinases. AGO2, phosphorylated on serine 387, is located together with Dicer at the midbody ring in a manner dependent on p38 MAPK activity. We further show that AGO2 is stress sensitive and important to ensure the proper chromosome segregation and cytokinetic fidelity. We suggest that AGO2 is part of a regulatory mechanism triggered by cytokinetic stress to generate the appropriate micro-environment for local transcript homeostasis.

Pantazopoulou et al. find that AGO2 resides in open-ended tunneling nanotubes and close-ended cytokinetic bridges. At the latter location, AGO2 colocalizes with cell division components and the authors show that AGO2 depletion impairs cell division fidelity.

Proteostatic imbalance and protein spreading in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose exact causative mechanisms are still under intense investigation. Several lines of evidence suggest that the anatomical and temporal propagation of pathological protein species along the neural axis could be among the main driving mechanisms for the fast and irreversible progression of ALS pathology. Many ALS-associated proteins form intracellular aggregates as a result of their intrinsic prion-like properties and/or following impairment of the protein quality control systems. During the disease course, these mutated proteins and aberrant peptides are released in the extracellular milieu as soluble or aggregated forms through a variety of mechanisms. Internalization by recipient cells may seed further aggregation and amplify existing proteostatic imbalances, thus triggering a vicious cycle that propagates pathology in vulnerable cells, such as motor neurons and other susceptible neuronal subtypes. Here, we provide an in-depth review of ALS pathology with a particular focus on the disease mechanisms of seeding and transmission of the most common ALS-associated proteins, including SOD1, FUS, TDP-43, and C9orf72-linked dipeptide repeats. For each of these proteins, we report historical, biochemical, and pathological evidence of their behaviors in ALS. We further discuss the possibility to harness pathological proteins as biomarkers and reflect on the implications of these findings for future research.

Protective Role of the M-Sec-Tunneling Nanotube System in Podocytes

BACKGROUND

Podocyte dysfunction and loss are major determinants in the development of proteinuria. FSGS is one of the most common causes of proteinuria, but the mechanisms leading to podocyte injury or conferring protection against FSGS remain poorly understood. The cytosolic protein M-Sec has been involved in the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), membrane channels that transiently connect cells and allow intercellular organelle transfer. Whether podocytes express M-Sec is unknown and the potential relevance of the M-Sec-TNT system in FSGS has not been explored.

METHODS

We studied the role of the M-Sec-TNT system in cultured podocytes exposed to Adriamycin and in BALB/c M-Sec knockout mice. We also assessed M-Sec expression in both kidney biopsies from patients with FSGS and in experimental FSGS (Adriamycin-induced nephropathy).

RESULTS

Podocytes can form TNTs in a M-Sec-dependent manner. Consistent with the notion that the M-Sec-TNT system is cytoprotective, podocytes overexpressed M-Sec in both human and experimental FSGS. Moreover, M-Sec deletion resulted in podocyte injury, with mitochondrial abnormalities and development of progressive FSGS. In vitro, M-Sec deletion abolished TNT-mediated mitochondria transfer between podocytes and altered mitochondrial bioenergetics. Re-expression of M-Sec reestablishes TNT formation and mitochondria exchange, rescued mitochondrial function, and partially reverted podocyte injury.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the M-Sec-TNT system plays an important protective role in the glomeruli by rescuing podocytes via mitochondrial horizontal transfer. M-Sec may represent a promising therapeutic target in FSGS, and evidence that podocytes can be rescued via TNT-mediated horizontal transfer may open new avenues of research.

Tau internalization: A complex step in tau propagation

Aggregation of microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) may underlie abnormalities of the intracellular matrix and neuronal death in tauopathies. Tau proteins can be secreted to the extracellular space and internalized into adjacent cells. The internalization of Tau is a complex but critical step in Tau propagation. This review summarizes the internalization pathways of Tau, including macropinocytosis, Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), lipid raft dependent endocytosis, Tunneling nanotubes dependent endocytosis (TNTs) and phagocytosis. The conformation of Tau fibrils and the types of recipient cell determine the internalization pathway. However, the HSPGs-dependent endocytosis seems to be the predominant pathway of Tau internalization. After internalization, Tau fibrils undergo clearance and seeding. Imbalance among Tau secretion, internalization and clearance may result in the propagation of misfolded Tau in the brain, thereby inducing Tauopathies. A better understanding of the internalization of Tau proteins may facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies to block the propagation of Tau pathology.

Tunneling nanotubes: Reshaping connectivity

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), open membranous channels between connected cells, represent a novel direct way of communication between distant cells for the diffusion of various cellular material, including survival or death signals, genetic material, organelles, and pathogens. Their discovery prompted us to review our understanding of many physiological and pathological processes involving cellular communication but also allowed us to discover new mechanisms of communication at a distance. While this has enriched the field, it has also generated some confusion, as different TNT-like protrusions have been described, and it is not clear whether they have the same structure-function. Most studies have been based on low-resolution imaging methods, and one of the major problems is the inconsistency in demonstrating the capacity of these various connections to transfer material between cells belonging to different populations. This brief review examines the fundamental properties of TNTs. In adult tissues, TNTs are stimulated by different diseases, stresses, and inflammatory signals. 'Moreover', based on the similarity of the processes of development of synaptic spines and TNT formation, we argue that TNTs in the brain predate synaptic transmission, being instrumental in the orchestration of the immature neuronal circuit.

Peering into tunneling nanotubes-The path forward

The identification of Tunneling Nanotubes (TNTs) and TNT-like structures signified a critical turning point in the field of cell-cell communication. With hypothesized roles in development and disease progression, TNTs' ability to transport biological cargo between distant cells has elevated these structures to a unique and privileged position among other mechanisms of intercellular communication. However, the field faces numerous challenges-some of the most pressing issues being the demonstration of TNTs in vivo and understanding how they form and function. Another stumbling block is represented by the vast disparity in structures classified as TNTs. In order to address this ambiguity, we propose a clear nomenclature and provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge concerning TNTs. We also discuss their structure, formation-related pathways, biological function, as well as their proposed role in disease. Furthermore, we pinpoint gaps and dichotomies found across the field and highlight unexplored research avenues. Lastly, we review the methods employed to date and suggest the application of new technologies to better understand these elusive biological structures.

Gap-enhanced resonance Raman tags for live-cell imaging

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotags are widely used in the biomedical field including live-cell imaging due to the high specificity from their fingerprint spectrum and the multiplexing capability from the ultra-narrow linewidth. However, long-term live-cell Raman imaging is limited due to the photodamage from a relatively long exposure time and a high laser power, which are needed for acquiring detectable Raman signals. In this work, we attempt to resolve this issue by developing ultrabright gap-enhanced resonance Raman tags (GERRTs), consisting of a petal-like gold core and a silver shell with the near-infrared resonant reporter of IR-780 embedded in between, for long-term and high-speed live-cell imaging. GERRTs exhibit an ultrahigh Raman intensity down to a single-nanoparticle level in aqueous solution and the solid state upon 785 nm excitation, allowing for high-resolution time-lapse live-cell Raman imaging with an exposure time of 1 ms per pixel and a laser power of 50 μW. Under these measurement conditions, we can possibly capture dynamic cellular processes with a high temporal resolution, and track living cells for long periods of time owing to the reduced photodamage to cells. These nanotags open new opportunities for ultrasensitive, low-phototoxic, and long-term live-cell imaging.

Tunneling nanotubes: A novel pharmacological target for neurodegenerative diseases?

Diversiform ways of intercellular communication are vital links in maintaining homeostasis and disseminating physiological states. Among intercellular bridges, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) discovered in 2004 were recognized as potential pharmacology targets related to the pathogenesis of common or infrequent neurodegenerative disorders. The neurotoxic aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases including scrapie prion protein (PrPSc), mutant tau protein, amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein, alpha-synuclein (α-syn) as well as mutant Huntington (mHTT) protein could promote TNT formation via certain physiological mechanisms, in turn, mediating the intercellular transmission of neurotoxicity. In this review, we described in detail the skeleton, the formation, the physicochemical properties, and the functions of TNTs, while paying particular attention to the key role of TNTs in the transport of pathological proteins during neurodegeneration.

Mural Cells: Potential Therapeutic Targets to Bridge Cardiovascular Disease and Neurodegeneration

Mural cells collectively refer to the smooth muscle cells and pericytes of the vasculature. This heterogenous population of cells play a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure, distribution, and the structural integrity of the vascular wall. As such, dysfunction of mural cells can lead to the pathogenesis and progression of a number of diseases pertaining to the vascular system. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, are perhaps the most well-described mural cell-centric case. For instance, atherosclerotic plaques are most often described as being composed of a proliferative smooth muscle cap accompanied by a necrotic core. More recently, the role of dysfunctional mural cells in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, is being recognized. In this review, we begin with an exploration of the mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases, such as mural cell plasticity. Next, we highlight a selection of signaling pathways (PDGF, Notch and inflammatory signaling) that are conserved across both diseases. We propose that conserved mural cell signaling mechanisms can be exploited for the identification or development of dual-pronged therapeutics that impart both cardio- and neuroprotective qualities.

Opportunities and Challenges in Tunneling Nanotubes Research: How Far from Clinical Application?

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are recognized long membrane nanotubes connecting distance cells. In the last decade, growing evidence has shown that these subcellular structures mediate the specific transfer of cellular materials, pathogens, and electrical signals between cells. As intercellular bridges, they play a unique role in embryonic development, collective cell migration, injured cell recovery, cancer treatment resistance, and pathogen propagation. Although TNTs have been considered as potential drug targets for treatment, there is still a long way to go to translate the research findings into clinical practice. Herein, we emphasize the heterogeneous nature of TNTs by systemically summarizing the current knowledge on their morphology, structure, and biogenesis in different types of cells. Furthermore, we address the communication efficiency and biological outcomes of TNT-dependent transport related to diseases. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of TNTs as an exciting therapeutic approach by focusing on the development of efficient and safe drugs targeting TNTs.

Pathogenic Stress Induces Human Monocyte to Express an Extracellular Web of Tunneling Nanotubes

Actin-based tunneling nanotubes are a means of intercellular communication between remote cells. In the last decade, this type of nanotube was described in a wide variety of cell types and it became widely accepted that communication through these nanotubes is related to response to environmental changes. Few reports, however, are available regarding the expression of similar nanotubes in vivo or in primary cells. Moreover, the functional significance of this intercellular communication for health and disease is largely unknown. In this context, and as a first step in unraveling these questions, we examined the formation of similar nanotubes in primary peripheral human monocytes. To that end, we combined the use of a live cell imaging system along with advanced methods of fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. This experimental approach reveals for the first time that the bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxin induces a transient expression of an unexpected abundance of actin-based tunneling nanotubes associated with vesicles. In addition, it was found that a similar response can be achieved by treating human monocytes with various bacterial and yeast membrane components, as well as with a viral component analog. In all these cases, this response is mediated by distinct complexes of toll-like receptors. Therefore, we suggest that the observed phenomena are related to a broad type of monocyte pathogen response, and raise the possibility that the phenomena described above may be involved in many clinical situations related to inflammation as a new topic of study.

Immune Cell Connection by Tunneling Nanotubes: The Impact of Intercellular Cross-Talk on the Immune Response and Its Therapeutic Applications

Direct intercellular communication is an important prerequisite for the development of multicellular organisms, the regeneration of tissue, and the maintenance of various physiological activities. Tunnel nanotubes (TNTs), which have diameters of approximately 50-1500 nm and lengths of up to several cell diameters, can connect cells over long distances and have emerged as one of the most important recently discovered types of efficient communication between cells. Moreover, TNTs can also directly transfer organelles, vehicles, proteins, genetic material, ions, and small molecules from one cell to adjacent and even distant cells. However, the mechanism of intercellular communication between various immune cells within the complex immune system has not been fully elucidated. Studies in the past decades have confirmed the existence of TNTs in many types of cells, especially in various kinds of immune cells. TNTs display different structural and functional characteristics between and within different immunocytes, playing a major role in the transmission of signals across various kinds of immune cells. In this review, we introduce the discovery and structure of TNTs, as well as their different functional properties within different immune cells. We also discuss the roles of TNTs in potentiating the immune response and their potential therapeutic applications.

From Cell Culture to Organoids-Model Systems for Investigating Prion Strain Characteristics

Prion diseases are the hallmark protein folding neurodegenerative disease. Their transmissible nature has allowed for the development of many different cellular models of disease where prion propagation and sometimes pathology can be induced. This review examines the range of simple cell cultures to more complex neurospheres, organoid, and organotypic slice cultures that have been used to study prion disease pathogenesis and to test therapeutics. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each system, giving special consideration to the importance of strains when choosing a model and when interpreting results, as not all systems propagate all strains, and in some cases, the technique used, or treatment applied, can alter the very strain properties being studied.

Utilization of Laser Capture Microdissection Coupled to Mass Spectrometry to Uncover the Proteome of Cellular Protrusions

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) provides a fast, specific, and versatile method to isolate and enrich cells in mixed populations and/or subcellular structures, for further proteomic study. Furthermore, mass spectrometry (MS) can quickly and accurately generate differential protein expression profiles from small amounts of samples. Although cellular protrusions-such as tunneling nanotubes, filopodia, growth cones, invadopodia, etc.-are involved in essential physiological and pathological actions such as phagocytosis or cancer-cell invasion, the study of their protein composition is progressing slowly due to their fragility and transient nature. The method described herein, combining LCM and MS, has been designed to identify the proteome of different cellular protrusions. First, cells are fixed with a novel fixative method to preserve the cellular protrusions, which are isolated by LCM. Next, the extraction of proteins from the enriched sample is optimized to de-crosslink the fixative agent to improve the identification of proteins by MS. The efficient protein recovery and high sample quality of this method enable the protein profiling of these small and diverse subcellular structures.

Nucleolin regulates 14-3-3ζ mRNA and promotes cofilin phosphorylation to induce tunneling nanotube formation

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) mediate intercellular communication between animal cells in health and disease, but the mechanisms of their biogenesis and function are poorly understood. Here we report that the RNA-binding protein (RBP) nucleolin, which interacts with the known TNT-inducing protein MSec, is essential for TNT formation in mammalian cells. Nucleolin, through its RNA-binding domains (RBDs), binds to and maintains the cytosolic levels of 14-3-3ζ mRNA, and is, therefore, required for TNT formation. A specific region of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the 14-3-3ζ mRNA is likely to be involved in its regulation by nucleolin. Functional complementation experiments suggest that nucleolin and 14-3-3ζ form a linear signaling axis that promotes the phosphorylation and inactivation of the F-actin depolymerization factor cofilin to induce TNT formation. MSec also similarly inactivates cofilin, but potentiates TNT formation independent of the nucleolin-14-3-3ζ axis, despite biochemically interacting with both proteins. We show that 14-3-3ζ and nucleolin are required for the formation of TNTs between primary mouse neurons and astrocytes and in multiple other mammalian cell types. We also report that the Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of 14-3-3ζ and MSec regulate the size and architecture of the TNT-like cellular protrusions of the distal tip cell (DTC), the germline stem cell niche in the gonad. Our study demonstrates a novel and potentially conserved mRNA-guided mechanism of TNT formation through the maintenance of cellular 14-3-3ζ mRNA levels by the RBP nucleolin.

Intercellular Transfer of Mitochondria between Senescent Cells through Cytoskeleton-Supported Intercellular Bridges Requires mTOR and CDC42 Signalling

Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible cell proliferation arrest induced by various stressors including telomere attrition, DNA damage, and oncogene induction. While beneficial as an acute response to stress, the accumulation of senescent cells with increasing age is thought to contribute adversely to the development of cancer and a number of other age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases for which there are currently no effective disease-modifying therapies. Non-cell-autonomous effects of senescent cells have been suggested to arise through the SASP, a wide variety of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and exosomes secreted by senescent cells. Here, we report an additional means of cell communication utilised by senescent cells via large numbers of membrane-bound intercellular bridges-or tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs)-containing the cytoskeletal components actin and tubulin, which form direct physical connections between cells. We observe the presence of mitochondria in these TNTs and show organelle transfer through the TNTs to adjacent cells. While transport of individual mitochondria along single TNTs appears by time-lapse studies to be unidirectional, we show by differentially labelled co-culture experiments that organelle transfer through TNTs can occur between different cells of equivalent cell age, but that senescent cells, rather than proliferating cells, appear to be predominant mitochondrial donors. Using small molecule inhibitors, we demonstrate that senescent cell TNTs are dependent on signalling through the mTOR pathway, which we further show is mediated at least in part through the downstream actin-cytoskeleton regulatory factor CDC42. These findings have significant implications for the development of senomodifying therapies, as they highlight the need to account for local direct cell-cell contacts as well as the SASP in order to treat cancer and diseases of ageing in which senescence is a key factor.

The NSs Protein Encoded by the Virulent Strain of Rift Valley Fever Virus Targets the Expression of Abl2 and the Actin Cytoskeleton of the Host, Affecting Cell Mobility, Cell Shape, and Cell-Cell Adhesion

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic arbovirus endemic in many African countries and the Arabian Peninsula. Animal infections cause high rates of mortality and abortion among sheep, goats, and cattle. In humans, an estimated 1 to 2% of RVFV infections result in severe disease (encephalitis, hepatitis, or retinitis) with a high rate of lethality when associated with hemorrhagic fever. The RVFV NSs protein, which is the main virulence factor, counteracts the host innate antiviral response to favor viral replication and spread. However, the mechanisms underlying RVFV-induced cytopathic effects and the role of NSs in these alterations remain for the most part unknown. In this work, we have analyzed the effects of NSs expression on the actin cytoskeleton while conducting infections with the NSs-expressing virulent (ZH548) and attenuated (MP12) strains of RVFV and the non-NSs-expressing avirulent (ZH548ΔNSs) strain, as well as after the ectopic expression of NSs. In macrophages, fibroblasts, and hepatocytes, NSs expression prevented the upregulation of Abl2 (a major regulator of the actin cytoskeleton) expression otherwise induced by avirulent infections and identified here as part of the antiviral response. The presence of NSs was also linked to an increased mobility of ZH548-infected cells compared to ZH548ΔNSs-infected fibroblasts and to strong changes in cell morphology in nonmigrating hepatocytes, with reduction of lamellipodia, cell spreading, and dissolution of adherens junctions reminiscent of the ZH548-induced cytopathic effects observed in vivo Finally, we show evidence of the presence of NSs within long actin-rich structures associated with NSs dissemination from NSs-expressing toward non-NSs-expressing cells.IMPORTANCE Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a dangerous human and animal pathogen that was ranked by the World Health Organization in 2018 as among the eight pathogens of most concern for being likely to cause wide epidemics in the near future and for which there are no, or insufficient, countermeasures. The focus of this work is to address the question of the mechanisms underlying RVFV-induced cytopathic effects that participate in RVFV pathogenicity. We demonstrate here that RVFV targets cell adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at the transcriptional and cellular level, affecting cell mobility and inducing cell shape collapse, along with distortion of cell-cell adhesion. All these effects may participate in RVFV-induced pathogenicity, facilitate virulent RVFV dissemination, and thus constitute interesting potential targets for future development of antiviral therapeutic strategies that, in the case of RVFV, as with several other emerging arboviruses, are presently lacking.

The Ways of Actin: Why Tunneling Nanotubes Are Unique Cell Protrusions

Actin remodeling is at the heart of the response of cells to external or internal stimuli, allowing a variety of membrane protrusions to form. Fifteen years ago, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) were identified, bringing a novel addition to the family of actin-supported cellular protrusions. Their unique property as conduits for cargo transfer between distant cells emphasizes the unique nature of TNTs among other protrusions. While TNTs in different pathological and physiological scenarios have been described, the molecular basis of how TNTs form is not well understood. In this review, we discuss the role of several actin regulators in the formation of TNTs and suggest potential players based on their comparison with other actin-based protrusions. New perspectives for discovering a distinct TNT formation pathway would enable us to target them in treating the increasing number of TNT-involved pathologies.

Prion-Like Propagation Mechanisms in Tauopathies and Traumatic Brain Injury: Challenges and Prospects

The accumulation of tau protein in the form of filamentous aggregates is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). These dementias share traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a prominent risk factor. Tau aggregates can transfer between cells and tissues in a "prion-like" manner, where they initiate the templated misfolding of normal tau molecules. This enables the spread of tau pathology to distinct parts of the brain. The evidence that tauopathies spread via prion-like mechanisms is considerable, but work detailing the mechanisms of spread has mostly used in vitro platforms that cannot fully reveal the tissue-level vectors or etiology of progression. We review these issues and then briefly use TBI and CTE as a case study to illustrate aspects of tauopathy that warrant further attention in vivo. These include seizures and sleep/wake disturbances, emphasizing the urgent need for improved animal models. Dissecting these mechanisms of tauopathy progression continues to provide fresh inspiration for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

A New Take on Prion Protein Dynamics in Cellular Trafficking

The mobility of cellular prion protein (PrP^C) in specific cell membrane domains and among distinct cell compartments dictates its molecular interactions and directs its cell function. PrP^C works in concert with several partners to organize signaling platforms implicated in various cellular processes. The scaffold property of PrP^C is able to gather a molecular repertoire to create heterogeneous membrane domains that favor endocytic events. Dynamic trafficking of PrP^C through multiple pathways, in a well-orchestrated mechanism of intra and extracellular vesicular transport, defines its functional plasticity, and also assists the conversion and spreading of its infectious isoform associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we highlight how PrP^C traffics across intra- and extracellular compartments and the consequences of this dynamic transport in governing cell functions and contributing to prion disease pathogenesis.

The role of TDP-43 propagation in neurodegenerative diseases: integrating insights from clinical and experimental studies

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a highly conserved nuclear RNA/DNA-binding protein involved in the regulation of RNA processing. The accumulation of TDP-43 aggregates in the central nervous system is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE). Accumulating evidence suggests that prion-like spreading of aberrant protein aggregates composed of tau, amyloid-β, and α-synuclein is involved in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and PD. Similar to those of prion-like proteins, pathological aggregates of TDP-43 can be transferred from cell-to-cell in a seed-dependent and self-templating manner. Here, we review clinical and experimental studies supporting the prion-like spreading of misfolded TDP-43 and discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the propagation of these pathological aggregated proteins. The idea that misfolded TDP-43 spreads in a prion-like manner between cells may guide novel therapeutic strategies for TDP-43-associated neurodegenerative diseases.