Institut Pasteur, Membrane Traffic and Pathogenesis, Paris, France.
EMBO J. 2021 Apr 15;40(8):e105789. doi: 10.15252/embj.2020105789. Epub 2021 Mar 1.
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.
隧道纳米管（TNTs）和 TNT 样结构的鉴定标志着细胞间通讯领域的一个关键转折点。TNTs 在发育和疾病进展中具有假设的作用，它们能够在远距离细胞之间运输生物货物，这使这些结构在细胞间通讯的其他机制中处于独特和有利的地位。然而，该领域面临着许多挑战，其中一些最紧迫的问题是在体内证明 TNTs 的存在以及了解它们的形成和功能。另一个障碍是被归类为 TNTs 的结构存在巨大差异。为了解决这个模糊性，我们提出了一个明确的命名法，并提供了关于 TNTs 的现有知识的全面概述。我们还讨论了它们的结构、与形成相关的途径、生物学功能，以及它们在疾病中的潜在作用。此外，我们指出了该领域存在的差距和二分法，并强调了未被探索的研究途径。最后，我们回顾了迄今为止使用的方法，并建议应用新技术来更好地理解这些难以捉摸的生物结构。
