About this Research Topic
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are communication membranous conduits that were discovered between cells in vitro in Prof. Gerdes’ group in 2004. In almost two decades, the research field has rapidly evolved and the demonstration of TNTs in tissue opened new avenues regarding physiology and technical approaches of TNTs in healthy and diseased cells. Studies on various types of cells have revealed that TNTs are preferred communication ways at longer and shorter distances. TNTs could mediate multitude of cell to cell communications, playing important role in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and viral infections, cancers, in mechanisms of action of cell based therapies in various disease models as well as maintenance of tissue homeostasis.
Despite numerous studies made on TNT communication between various cell types in vitro, more studies are awaiting to clarify the molecules implicated in TNTs structure and function. Fundamental studies on TNTs in 2D cell cultures need continuity in 3D cultures (spheroids, organoids) and in vivo models for the sake of perspective therapeutic strategies. Since TNTs per se could not be massively isolated, microscopy is the main approach, but challenging when studying TNT formation, transport, and contact (open-ended or close-ended) with the target cell due to the breakable structure of TNTs. Thus, from the technical point of view novel microscopy strategies (imaging and labelling techniques, super-resolution microscopy, correlative light-electron microscopy), are highly welcome to be shared with the community. Optimistically, with an expanding set of molecules that are critical for TNT formation, stability and trafficking would aim to find a specific TNT marker or at least a disease-specific TNT marker.
The scope of the Research Topic is to collect a comprehensive set of novel findings regarding TNTs’ contribution to various types of disease i.e. pathways, mechanisms, and stimuli that control intercellular communications via TNTs in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. We welcome the following article types: Original Research, Methods, Review, and Perspective that include areas that are not strictly limited to:
• Characterization of TNTs (dimensions, frequency, organelles, proteins, lipids, mRNA, miRNA) in different models (cell cultures, co-cultures, spheroids, organoids; ex vivo, in vivo models)
• TNT formation in stimulated and native conditions
• Contact between TNT and target cells
• Novel imaging strategies to follow TNT formation, cargo trafficking in TNTs
• Towards therapy design: Interruption of cargo spreading via TNTs, exploitation of TNTs as a route for drugs or drug delivery systems spreading
Despite numerous studies made on TNT communication between various cell types in vitro, more studies are awaiting to clarify the molecules implicated in TNTs structure and function. Fundamental studies on TNTs in 2D cell cultures need continuity in 3D cultures (spheroids, organoids) and in vivo models for the sake of perspective therapeutic strategies. Since TNTs per se could not be massively isolated, microscopy is the main approach, but challenging when studying TNT formation, transport, and contact (open-ended or close-ended) with the target cell due to the breakable structure of TNTs. Thus, from the technical point of view novel microscopy strategies (imaging and labelling techniques, super-resolution microscopy, correlative light-electron microscopy), are highly welcome to be shared with the community. Optimistically, with an expanding set of molecules that are critical for TNT formation, stability and trafficking would aim to find a specific TNT marker or at least a disease-specific TNT marker.
The scope of the Research Topic is to collect a comprehensive set of novel findings regarding TNTs’ contribution to various types of disease i.e. pathways, mechanisms, and stimuli that control intercellular communications via TNTs in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. We welcome the following article types: Original Research, Methods, Review, and Perspective that include areas that are not strictly limited to:
• Characterization of TNTs (dimensions, frequency, organelles, proteins, lipids, mRNA, miRNA) in different models (cell cultures, co-cultures, spheroids, organoids; ex vivo, in vivo models)
• TNT formation in stimulated and native conditions
• Contact between TNT and target cells
• Novel imaging strategies to follow TNT formation, cargo trafficking in TNTs
• Towards therapy design: Interruption of cargo spreading via TNTs, exploitation of TNTs as a route for drugs or drug delivery systems spreading
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
