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Zhou C, Huang M, Wang S, Chu S, Zhang Z, Chen N. Tunneling nanotubes: The transport highway for astrocyte-neuron communication in the central nervous system. Brain Res Bull 2024; 209:110921. [PMID: 38447659 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) have emerged as pivotal structures for intercellular communication, enabling the transfer of cellular components across distant cells. Their involvement in neurological disorders has attracted considerable scientific interest. This review delineates the functions of TNTs within the central nervous system, examining their role in the transmission of bioenergetic substrates, and signaling molecules, and their multifaceted impact on both physiological and pathological processes, with an emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases. The review highlights the selectivity and specificity of TNTs as dedicated pathways for intercellular cargo delivery, particularly under stress conditions that provoke increased TNT formation. The potential of TNTs as therapeutic targets is explored in depth. We pay particular attention to the interactions between astrocytes and neurons mediated by TNTs, which are fundamental to brain architecture and function. Dysfunctions in these interactions are implicated in the spread of protein aggregates and mitochondrial anomalies, contributing to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The review culminates with a synthesis of the current understanding of TNT biology and identifies research gaps, advocating for intensified exploration into TNTs as a promising therapeutic frontier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuixiang Zhou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Min Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shasha Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Shifeng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Naihong Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China.
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Dagar S, Subramaniam S. Tunneling Nanotube: An Enticing Cell-Cell Communication in the Nervous System. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1288. [PMID: 37886998 PMCID: PMC10604474 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The field of neuroscience is rapidly progressing, continuously uncovering new insights and discoveries. Among the areas that have shown immense potential in research, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) have emerged as a promising subject of study. These minute structures act as conduits for the transfer of cellular materials between cells, representing a mechanism of communication that holds great significance. In particular, the interplay facilitated by TNTs among various cell types within the brain, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, glial cells, and microglia, can be essential for the normal development and optimal functioning of this complex organ. The involvement of TNTs in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, has attracted significant attention. These disorders are characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons and the subsequent decline in brain function. Studies have predicted that TNTs likely play critical roles in the propagation and spread of pathological factors, contributing to the advancement of these diseases. Thus, there is a growing interest in understanding the precise functions and mechanisms of TNTs within the nervous system. This review article, based on our recent work on Rhes-mediated TNTs, aims to explore the functions of TNTs within the brain and investigate their implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Using the knowledge gained from studying TNTs could offer novel opportunities for designing targeted treatments that can stop the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunayana Dagar
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Srinivasa Subramaniam
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, 130 Scripps Way, C323, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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Huang L, Zhang J, Wu Z, Zhou L, Yu B, Jing Y, Lin D, Qu J. Revealing the structure and organization of intercellular tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) by STORM imaging. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 4:4258-4262. [PMID: 36321151 PMCID: PMC9552758 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00415a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are nanoscale, actin-rich, transient intercellular tubes for cell-to-cell communication, which transport various cargoes between distant cells. The structural complexity and spatial organization of the involved components of TNTs remain unknown. In this work, the STORM super-resolution imaging technique was applied to elucidate the structural organization of microfilaments and microtubules in intercellular TNTs at the nanometer scale. Our results reveal different distributions of microfilaments and intertwined structures of microtubules in TNTs, which promote the knowledge of TNT communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilin Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Zekai Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Liangliang Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Bin Yu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Yingying Jing
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Danying Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
| | - Junle Qu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China
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Rubio-Casillas A, Redwan EM, Uversky VN. SARS-CoV-2: A Master of Immune Evasion. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061339. [PMID: 35740361 PMCID: PMC9220273 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses and their hosts have coevolved for a long time. This coevolution places both the pathogen and the human immune system under selective pressure; on the one hand, the immune system has evolved to combat viruses and virally infected cells, while viruses have developed sophisticated mechanisms to escape recognition and destruction by the immune system. SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that is causing the current COVID-19 pandemic, has shown a remarkable ability to escape antibody neutralization, putting vaccine efficacy at risk. One of the virus’s immune evasion strategies is mitochondrial sabotage: by causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial physiology is impaired, and the interferon antiviral response is suppressed. Seminal studies have identified an intra-cytoplasmatic pathway for viral infection, which occurs through the construction of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), hence enhancing infection and avoiding immune surveillance. Another method of evading immune monitoring is the disruption of the antigen presentation. In this scenario, SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces MHC-I molecule expression: SARS-CoV-2’s open reading frames (ORF 6 and ORF 8) produce viral proteins that specifically downregulate MHC-I molecules. All of these strategies are also exploited by other viruses to elude immune detection and should be studied in depth to improve the effectiveness of future antiviral treatments. Compared to the Wuhan strain or the Delta variant, Omicron has developed mutations that have impaired its ability to generate syncytia, thus reducing its pathogenicity. Conversely, other mutations have allowed it to escape antibody neutralization and preventing cellular immune recognition, making it the most contagious and evasive variant to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Rubio-Casillas
- Biology Laboratory, Autlán Regional Preparatory School, University of Guadalajara, Autlán 48900, Jalisco, Mexico
- Correspondence: (A.R.-C.); (V.N.U.); Tel.: +52-317-38-935-55 (A.R.-C.)
| | - Elrashdy M. Redwan
- Biological Science Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg EL-Arab, Alexandria 21934, Egypt
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: (A.R.-C.); (V.N.U.); Tel.: +52-317-38-935-55 (A.R.-C.)
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Driscoll J, Gondaliya P, Patel T. Tunneling Nanotube-Mediated Communication: A Mechanism of Intercellular Nucleic Acid Transfer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5487. [PMID: 35628298 PMCID: PMC9143920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are thin, F-actin-based membranous protrusions that connect distant cells and can provide e a novel mechanism for intercellular communication. By establishing cytoplasmic continuity between interconnected cells, TNTs enable the bidirectional transfer of nuclear and cytoplasmic cargo, including organelles, nucleic acids, drugs, and pathogenic molecules. TNT-mediated nucleic acid transfer provides a unique opportunity for donor cells to directly alter the genome, transcriptome, and metabolome of recipient cells. TNTs have been reported to transport DNA, mitochondrial DNA, mRNA, viral RNA, and non-coding RNAs, such as miRNA and siRNA. This mechanism of transfer is observed in physiological as well as pathological conditions, and has been implicated in the progression of disease. Herein, we provide a concise overview of TNTs' structure, mechanisms of biogenesis, and the functional effects of TNT-mediated intercellular transfer of nucleic acid cargo. Furthermore, we highlight the potential translational applications of TNT-mediated nucleic acid transfer in cancer, immunity, and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tushar Patel
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (J.D.); (P.G.)
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Ottonelli I, Caraffi R, Tosi G, Vandelli MA, Duskey JT, Ruozi B. Tunneling Nanotubes: A New Target for Nanomedicine? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042237. [PMID: 35216348 PMCID: PMC8878036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), discovered in 2004, are thin, long protrusions between cells utilized for intercellular transfer and communication. These newly discovered structures have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in homeostasis, but also in the spreading of diseases, infections, and metastases. Gaining much interest in the medical research field, TNTs have been shown to transport nanomedicines (NMeds) between cells. NMeds have been studied thanks to their advantageous features in terms of reduced toxicity of drugs, enhanced solubility, protection of the payload, prolonged release, and more interestingly, cell-targeted delivery. Nevertheless, their transfer between cells via TNTs makes their true fate unknown. If better understood, TNTs could help control NMed delivery. In fact, TNTs can represent the possibility both to improve the biodistribution of NMeds throughout a diseased tissue by increasing their formation, or to minimize their formation to block the transfer of dangerous material. To date, few studies have investigated the interaction between NMeds and TNTs. In this work, we will explain what TNTs are and how they form and then review what has been published regarding their potential use in nanomedicine research. We will highlight possible future approaches to better exploit TNT intercellular communication in the field of nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Ottonelli
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.C.); (G.T.); (M.A.V.); (B.R.)
| | - Riccardo Caraffi
- Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.C.); (G.T.); (M.A.V.); (B.R.)
| | - Giovanni Tosi
- Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.C.); (G.T.); (M.A.V.); (B.R.)
| | - Maria Angela Vandelli
- Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.C.); (G.T.); (M.A.V.); (B.R.)
| | - Jason Thomas Duskey
- Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.C.); (G.T.); (M.A.V.); (B.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Barbara Ruozi
- Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.C.); (G.T.); (M.A.V.); (B.R.)
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