'Tunneling nanotube' - a newly discovered messenger between cells

Background: Intercellular communication is crucial for the maintenance of a multicellular orgamism. Tunneling nanotube (TNT) is a tunnel-like structure connecting two or several cells. It contains the cytoskeleton protein F-actin and is surrounded by a continous cellular membrane. The TNT structure is 50-200nm in diameter, and its length can extend up to several cell diameters. Futher, different cellular organelles and vesicles, in addition to pathogens such as a virus and bacteria, have been demonstrated transported through TNT. Future research on TNT will map the molecular mechanisms and disclose its role as an intercellular communicator in healthy and diseased cells. Materials and method: The references have been located by a non-systematic search in the following data bases: PubMed and Google Scholar. Results and conclusion: An increasing number of cell types with the ability to generate TNTs are currently reported together with the identification of which cargo is being transported between cells. However, we have very limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for TNT induction and how they are connected. Future research will reveal the molecular mechanisms responsible for TNT formation, its importance in intercellular communication and how this is affected during disease.