Subcellular Insights into Tanycyte Biology
Tanycytes are specialized elongated glial cells whose cell bodies line the ventricular wall and whose processes extend into the brain parenchyma, contacting diverse cell types. This remarkable morphology suggests that tanycyte processes may serve multiple functions. For example, tanycytes form contacts with arcuate nucleus (ARH) neurons via spines, swellings, and boutons. They also contain a rich and heterogeneous vesicular system, including single- and double-membrane vesicles, multivesicular bodies, multivesicular cargoes, and dense-core vesicles. Subcellular components such as the endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and even mRNAs are present throughout their processes, from cell bodies to endfeet.
Using a multidisciplinary approach, we leverage both in vivo and in vitro models to elucidate the interplay between cellular compartments and their roles in tanycyte–neuron communication under different nutritional conditions.
Our projects include:
- Studying tanycyte ultrastructure and organelle organization
- Investigating organelle interactions
- Characterizing calcium signaling
- Understanding secretion mechanisms