A transwell assay that excludes exosomes for assessment of tunneling nanotube-mediated intercellular communication.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are naturally-occurring filamentous actin-based membranous extensions that form across a wide spectrum of mammalian cell types to facilitate long-range intercellular communication. Valid assays are needed to accurately assess the downstream effects of TNT-mediated transfer of cellular signals in vitro. We recently reported a modified transwell assay system designed to test the effects of intercellular transfer of a therapeutic oncolytic virus, and viral-activated drugs, between cells via TNTs. The objective of the current study was to demonstrate validation of this in vitro approach as a new method for effectively excluding diffusible forms of long- and close-range intercellular transfer of intracytoplasmic cargo, including exosomes/microvesicl

SUBMITTER: Thayanithy V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5683209 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature