Mechanical properties of intercellular tunneling nanotubes formed by different mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) that connect cells have been recognized as a pathway for long-range intercellular transport of diverse cargoes, including viruses, lysosomes or other organelles, Ca²⁺ and electrical signals. TNTs can initially be formed from thin finger-like actin assembly-driven protrusions or cell contacts and dislodgment. However, it remains unclear whether the mechanical properties of TNTs formed by these two mechanisms are the same. Here, we developed novel microoperation methods to investigate the mechanical properties of TNTs in HEK293 cells, in which the TNTs form from thin finger-like actin assembly-driven protrusions and C2C12 cells, in which the TNTs form through contact and cell dislodgment. We found that TNTs formed by the two mechanisms represent elastic

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11386031 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature