Tunnelling Nanotube-Mediated Lysosome Sharing Promotes Osteocyte Survival via Transcellular Autophagy - PubMed
3 days ago
- #osteocyte survival
- #tunnelling nanotubes
- #transcellular autophagy
- Tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) form between osteocytes, enabling organelle transfer, particularly lysosomes.
- Under nutrient deprivation, TNT formation and lysosome transfer increase, replenishing lysosomal pools in stressed osteocytes.
- Transferred lysosomes fuse with autophagosomes, restoring autophagic flux and suppressing apoptosis, promoting osteocyte survival.
- This protective mechanism requires TNT integrity and intact autophagic flux, highlighting a transcellular autophagy pathway.
- Mitochondrial transfer occurs but does not provide comparable cytoprotection like lysosome sharing.
- The findings reveal a cooperative survival strategy among osteocytes with potential therapeutic implications for bone diseases.