Interpericyte tunnelling nanotubes regulate neurovascular coupling

Alarcón-Martínez, Luis; Villafranca‐Baughman, Deborah; Quintero, Heberto; Kacerovsky, J. Benjamin; Dotigny, Florence; Murai, Keith K.; Prat, Alexandre; Drapeau, Pierre; Polo, Adriana Di

doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2589-x

Cited by 184 publications

(181 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, the precise signals transported between cells via these bridges has not yet been explored. In another more recent study, Di Polo and colleagues identified TNT‐like processes (termed interpericyte TNTs or IP‐TNTs) that connect pericytes on retinal capillaries and form a functional syncytium (Alarcon‐Martinez et al , 2020). The authors show that IP‐TNTs contain mitochondria and actin, and propagate intercellular calcium waves; however, their close‐ended tip characterized by the presence of GJs may limit the intercellular transport of larger cargoes (Zurzolo, 2020).…”

Section: An Overview Of Tunneling Nanotubesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peering into tunneling nanotubes—The path forward

Cervantes

Zurzolo

2021

The EMBO Journal

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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.

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Section: An Overview Of Tunneling Nanotubesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peering into tunneling nanotubes—The path forward

Cervantes

Zurzolo

2021

The EMBO Journal

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“…Additionally, teriflunomide improves pericyte coverage and survival, resulting in decreased TJ protein breakdown and BBB leakage 108 . A recent study has shown that novel interpericyte tunneling nanotubes could build a functional network to regulate neurovascular coupling through linking two separate PCs on different capillaries in the mouse retina 109 …”

Section: Is Therapies Targeting the Nvumentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurovascular Unit: A critical role in ischemic stroke

et al. 2021

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Ischemic stroke (IS), a common cerebrovascular disease, results from a sudden blockage of a blood vessel in the brain, thereby restricting blood supply to the area in question, and making a significantly negative impact on human health. Unfortunately, current treatments, that are mainly based on a recanalization of occluded blood vessels, are insufficient or inaccessible to many stroke patients. Recently, the profound influence of the neurovascular unit (NVU) on recanalization and the prognosis of IS have become better understood; in‐depth studies of the NVU have also provided novel approaches for IS treatment. In this article, we review the intimate connections between the changes in the NVU and IS outcomes, and discuss possible new management strategies having practical significance to IS. We discuss the concept of the NVU, as well as its roles in IS blood‐brain barrier regulation, cell preservation, inflammatory immune response, and neurovascular repair. Besides, we also summarize the influence of noncoding RNAs in NVU, and IS therapies targeting the NVU. We conclude that both the pathophysiological and neurovascular repair processes of IS are strongly associated with the homeostatic state of the NVU and that further research into therapies directed at the NVU could expand the range of treatments available for IS.

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“…A role for pericytes in the regulation of microcirculatory blood flow has long been suspected (Armulik et al, 2011;Hall et al, 2014;Sweeney et al, 2016). Recent work demonstrated that pericytes synchronize microvascular blood flow dynamics and neurovascular coupling via nanotube-like processes called inter-pericyte tunneling nanotubes (IP-TNTs) which connect two pericytes on separate capillaries to form a functional network (Alarcon-Martinez et al, 2020). Pericytes are also part of the neurovascular unit and are most firmly attached to brain capillaries.…”

Section: Pericytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Normal and Brain Tumor Vasculature: Morphological and Functional Characteristics and Therapeutic Targeting

et al. 2021

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Glioblastoma is among the most common tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Overall survival has not significantly improved over the last decade, even with optimizing standard therapeutic care including extent of resection and radio- and chemotherapy. In this article, we review features of the brain vasculature found in healthy cerebral tissue and in glioblastoma. Brain vessels are of various sizes and composed of several vascular cell types. Non-vascular cells such as astrocytes or microglia also interact with the vasculature and play important roles. We also discuss in vitro engineered artificial blood vessels which may represent useful models for better understanding the tumor–vessel interaction. Finally, we summarize results from clinical trials with anti-angiogenic therapy alone or in combination, and discuss the value of these approaches for targeting glioblastoma.

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Interpericyte tunnelling nanotubes regulate neurovascular coupling

Cited by 184 publications

References 26 publications

Peering into tunneling nanotubes—The path forward

Peering into tunneling nanotubes—The path forward

Neurovascular Unit: A critical role in ischemic stroke

The Normal and Brain Tumor Vasculature: Morphological and Functional Characteristics and Therapeutic Targeting

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