Can membrane nanotubes facilitate communication between immune cells?
Recent observations have revealed that intercellular connections can be formed through membrane nanotubes. These delicate structures could facilitate transport of organelles and membrane proteins between cells. The sharing of cell surface and cytoplasmic components between cells could be commonplace in biology, but an important physiological role for membrane nanotubes between immune cells is difficult to test with current technology.
Onfelt
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B
Department of Biological Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College, London SW7 SAZ, UK.
Davis
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DM
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D001692:Biological Transport; D002450:Cell Communication; D002460:Cell Line; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D004247:DNA