Vol. 130 No. 1 (2026)
Special Section: My First Manuscript

Dynamic tunnelling nanotube formation characterizes AML–Mesenchymal Stromal cell crosstalk in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment

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  • Lavinia Pace,
  • Silvia Masciarelli
Lavinia Pace
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Bio
Silvia Masciarelli
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/ijae-17559

Published 2026-09-05

Keywords

  • AML,
  • BM microenvironment,
  • tunnelling nanotubes,
  • MSC

How to Cite

Pace, L., & Masciarelli, S. (2026). Dynamic tunnelling nanotube formation characterizes AML–Mesenchymal Stromal cell crosstalk in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 130(1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.36253/ijae-17559

Copyright (c) 2026 Lavinia Pace, Silvia Masciarelli

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing cancer that leads to the accumulation of immature blasts in the bone marrow (BM). The BM niche, in particular mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), supports and protects AML cells, leading to resistance to treatment and relapses. AML blasts actively interact with mesenchymal MSCs, reshaping the niche and engaging in direct cytoplasmic exchange through tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs). Using cocultures of MOLM‑13 AML cells and MS‑5 stromal cells labelled with distinct vital dyes, we observed the rapid formation of TNTs‑like protrusions within the first hours of contact. Phalloidin staining confirmed their continuous F‑actin structure, consistent with canonical TNT morphology. Notably, TNT frequency increased following treatment, indicating that therapeutic stress enhances AML–MSC crosstalk. These findings show that AML establishes fast, dynamic physical interactions with MSCs and that TNT formation is further stimulated by treatment, highlighting TNT‑mediated crosstalk as a potential target to weaken stromal protection and improve therapeutic response.

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