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Intercellular communication in the brain through a dendritic nanotubular network

Intercellular nanotubular networks mediate material exchange, but their existence in neurons remains to be explored in detail. We identified long, thin dendritic filopodia forming direct dendrite-dendrite nanotubes (DNTs) in mammalian cortex. Super-resolution microscopy in dissociated neurons reveal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chang, Minhyeok (Author) , Krüssel, Sarah (Author) , Parajuli, Laxmi Kumar (Author) , Kim, Juhyun (Author) , Lee, Daniel (Author) , Merodio, Alec (Author) , Kwon, Jaeyoung (Author) , Okabe, Shigeo (Author) , Kwon, Hyung-Bae (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: October 2, 2025
In: Science
Year: 2025, Volume: 390, Issue: 6768, Pages: 1-17
ISSN:1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.adr7403
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adr7403
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www-science-org.ezproxy.medma.uni-heidelberg.de/doi/10.1126/science.adr7403
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Author Notes:Minhyeok Chang, Sarah Krüssel, Laxmi Kumar Parajuli, Juhyun Kim, Daniel Lee, Alec Merodio, Jaeyoung Kwon, Shigeo Okabe, Hyung-Bae Kwon
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Summary:Intercellular nanotubular networks mediate material exchange, but their existence in neurons remains to be explored in detail. We identified long, thin dendritic filopodia forming direct dendrite-dendrite nanotubes (DNTs) in mammalian cortex. Super-resolution microscopy in dissociated neurons revealed DNTs’ actin-rich composition and dynamics, enabling long-range calcium ion (Ca2+) propagation. Imaging and machine learning-based analysis validated in situ DNTs as anatomically distinct from synaptic spines. DNTs actively transported small molecules and human amyloid-β (Aβ); DNT density increased before plaque formation in the medial prefrontal cortex of APP/PS1 mice (APP, Aβ precursor protein; PS1, presenilin-1), suggesting that the dendrite-DNT network might play a role in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Computational models of DNT-mediated Aβ propagation recapitulated early amyloidosis, predicting selective intracellular accumulation. These findings uncover a nanotubular connectivity layer in the brain, extending neuronal communication beyond classical synapses.
Item Description:Gesehen am 18.12.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.adr7403

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