Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are actin-based intercellular conduits that connect distant cells and allow intercellular transfer of molecular information, including genetic information, proteins, lipids, and even organelles. Besides providing a means of intercellular communication, TNTs may also be hijacked by pathogens, particularly viruses, to facilitate their spread. Viruses of many different families, including retroviruses, herpesviruses, orthomyxoviruses, and several others have been reported to trigger the formation of TNTs or TNT-like structures in infected cells and use these structures to efficiently spread to uninfected cells. In the current review, we give an overview of the information that is currently available on viruses and TNT-like structures, and we discuss some of the standing questions in this field.

中文翻译：

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缩小差距：通过隧道纳米管传播的病毒远距离传播。

隧穿纳米管（TNT）是基于肌动蛋白的细胞间导管，可连接远处的细胞并允许细胞间传递分子信息，包括遗传信息，蛋白质，脂质，甚至细胞器。除了提供细胞间通讯的手段外，TNT还可能被病原体（尤其是病毒）劫持，以促进其传播。据报道，包括逆转录病毒，疱疹病毒，正粘病毒和许多其他家族在内的许多不同家族的病毒会触发被感染细胞中TNT或TNT样结构的形成，并利用这些结构有效地传播至未感染的细胞。在当前的审查中，我们概述了有关病毒和类似TNT的结构的当前可用信息，并讨论了该领域中的一些常备问题。