Artificial nanotube connections and transport of molecular cargo between mammalian cells

We present a set of microfabrication procedures for the deliberate formation of intercellular nanotube links between single mammalian cells, employing microneedle manipulation protocols, developed earlier for nanotube-vesicle networks. Cell-to-cell connections were established, and their effectiveness for intercellular transport of molecular cargo was demonstrated. We initiate transport of Ca 2 + ions and fluorescein diphosphate, a prefluorescent enzyme substrate, between cells, and demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of artificially created nanotube connections for cell-to-cell communication. We thus provide a new experimental model for probing cell-to-cell communication, which we deem the foundation for man-made network architectures involving biological cells. This model can greatly facilitate fundamental studies of cell-to-cell communication modes, the exchange of cell constituents and components, and the dynamics of biochemical reactions in native network environments.
Source: Nano Communication Networks - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research