Abstract
In recent years, thin membrane protrusions such as cytonemes and tunneling nanotubes have emerged as a novel mechanism of intercellular communication. Protrusion-based cellular interactions allow for specific communication between participating cells and have a distinct spectrum of advantages compared to secretion- and diffusion-based intercellular communication. Identification of protrusion-based signaling in diverse systems suggests that this mechanism is a ubiquitous and prevailing means of communication employed by many cell types. Moreover, accumulating evidence indicates that protrusion-based intercellular communication is often involved in pathogenesis, including cancers and ections. Here we review our current understanding of protrusion-based intercellular communication.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 59-84 |
Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology |
Volume | 34 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 6 2018 |
Keywords
- Adult stem cells
- Cytoneme
- Nanotube
- Signaling
- Stem cell niche
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology