Orchestrating Blood Flow in the Retina: Interpericyte Tunnelling Nanotube Communication.
Results Probl Cell Differ
; 73: 229-247, 2024.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39242382
ABSTRACT
The retina transforms light into electrical signals, which are sent to the brain via the optic nerve to form our visual perception. This complex signal processing is performed by the retinal neuron and requires a significant amount of energy. Since neurons are unable to store energy, they must obtain glucose and oxygen from the bloodstream to produce energy to match metabolic needs. This process is called neurovascular coupling (NVC), and it is based on a precise mechanism that is not totally understood. The discovery of fine tubular processes termed tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) set a new type of cell-to-cell communication. TNTs are extensions of the cellular membrane that allow the transfer of material between connected cells. Recently, they have been reported in the brain and retina of living mice, where they connect pericytes, which are vascular mural cells that regulate vessel diameter. Accordingly, these TNTs were termed interpericyte tunnelling nanotubes (IPTNTs), which showed a vital role in blood delivery and NVC. In this chapter, we review the involvement of TNTs in NVC and discuss their implications in retinal neurodegeneration.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Retina
/
Comunicación Celular
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Results Probl Cell Differ
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia
Pais de publicación:
Alemania