# Snapshot on Cell-to-Cell Communication Nanotubes: From Bacteria to Humans

## TL;DR

This review explores how cells communicate through nanotubes, from bacteria to humans, and their role in diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the structure, function, and disease relevance of nanotubes across different organisms.

## Key findings

- Nanotubes facilitate transfer of signaling molecules, ions, and organelles between cells.
- Nanotubes are involved in cancer cell immune evasion and viral infections.
- They play roles in neurodegenerative diseases and drug resistance.

## Abstract

Just like we communicate with other human beings or with a cat, a dog, or other living organisms through different types of language, including verbal language, body language and eye contact, cells have developed several mechanisms to communicate with each other and transmit various types of information. The focus of this review is a specific form of intercellular communication, i.e., nanotubes, which are present in simple unicellular organisms, like bacteria, up to more complicated multicellular organisms, such as higher vertebrates. Research on nanotubes has gained momentum in recent years, owing to the discovery that this communication system is involved in highly prevalent diseases in humans, including neurodegeneration and cancer. This review uncovers the structure and function of nanotubes in different kingdoms of life, from prokaryotic cells to human cells, and includes recent research pointing to the role of these conduits in cancer cell immune evasion and survival, in viral infection, and in neurodegenerative diseases.

From bacteria to higher vertebrates, cells have developed different systems to communicate with each other and transmit specific signals in a dynamic interplay with neighborhood cells. This review focuses on cell-to-cell communication mediated by nanotubes, membrane protrusions present during evolution from bacteria to higher plants and animals. We describe the basic structure of nanotubes in different organisms and cell types and their functions, which cover transfer of signaling molecules, ions, organelles and pathogens in a cell- and context-dependent manner, thereby promoting cell survival, tissue development, response to stress, pathogens’ spreading and drug resistance. We also provide an overview of recent studies that are broadening our understanding of the role of these conduits in the pathogenesis of high-incidence diseases in humans, such as cancer and neurodegeneration.