Houston Daily

Mingfu Wu, an associate professor at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, has uncovered a significant discovery in heart disease research. His study, published in Science, explores how the heart's layers communicate during its formation. The focus is on Tunneling Nanotube-Like Structures (TNTLs), which are long, thin channels that connect cells and facilitate communication.

Wu explains that these structures physically link cardiomyocytes in the myocardium to endocardial cells in the endocardium. "These structures likely help to facilitate long-distance intercellular communication essential for heart formation," Wu reports.

The research highlights the importance of signals exchanged between the myocardium and endocardium during heart development. These signals are crucial for forming trabeculae, which enhance blood supply by increasing the inner surface area of the heart wall before the coronary system develops.

Using genetic labeling and advanced imaging techniques, Wu's team demonstrated TNTLs' existence in embryonic hearts. They found that these tubes extend across the heart's main layers and cardiac jelly, enabling cell communication and protein transfer.

"We found that TNTLs were able to transport signaling molecules, cytoplasmic proteins, and trafficking vesicles," said Wu. He noted their role as conduits for intercellular communication is essential in cardiac morphogenesis. Disruption of TNTLs resulted in impaired ventricular wall morphogenesis and defective myocardial growth.

Wu suggests future research should investigate TNTLs' molecular machinery and their potential role in treating congenital heart defects and heart failure.