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.

Keywords:
fluorescence imaging, intercellular communication, membrane nanotube, network
© 2004 The Biochemical Society
2004
You do not currently have access to this content.