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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Standardized Method to Detect Tunneling Nanotubes in Human Skin Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Standardized Method to Detect Tunneling Nanotubes in Human Skin Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Published on: January 13, 2026

Intercellular transfer mediated by tunneling nanotubes.

Hans-Hermann Gerdes¹, Raquel Negrão Carvalho

¹Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, Bergen 5009, Norway. hans-hermann.gerdes@biomed.uib.no

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

|May 6, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Tunneling nanotubes (TNT) are newly discovered cell bridges facilitating intercellular transfer of cellular components. Their widespread detection suggests TNTs represent a fundamental mechanism for cell communication in physiological conditions.

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Detection and Quantification of Tunneling Nanotubes Using 3D Volume View Images

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Published on: August 31, 2022

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Cell Communication
Molecular Biology

Background:

Animal cells utilize diverse communication methods.
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) emerged in 2004 as a novel cell-to-cell communication pathway.
TNTs are de novo formed membranous bridges enabling intercellular cargo transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) and their variations across cell types.
To explore the implications of TNTs as a general mechanism for cell connectivity.

Main Methods:

Characterization of TNT-like structures.
Analysis of cytoskeletal composition.
Investigation of intercellular transfer modalities.

Main Results:

TNTs facilitate the transfer of organelles, plasma membrane components, and cytoplasmic molecules.
Variations in cytoskeletal composition and interconnection modalities suggest TNT subclasses.
TNT-like structures are detected in a growing number of cell types.

Conclusions:

Tunneling nanotubes represent a widespread mechanism for functional cell connectivity.
The diverse nature of TNTs indicates potential subclasses with distinct functions.
TNTs may have significant implications for understanding physiological conditions.