Table 3 Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) death modulation function depending on tunneling nanotubes

Preclinical in vitro

Human BM-MSCs

Apoptosis in human lung epithelial cell lines A549ρ⁰induced by ethidium bromide

Transfer of mitochondria via EVs and TNTs or both

Spees et al. [27]

Preclinical in vitro

Mouse BM-MSCs

Apoptosis in rat H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell line induced by deprivation of glucose and oxygen

Cxs and/or TNTs

Cselenyak [41]

Preclinical in vivo

Mouse and human BM-MSCs

Apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells induced by LPS in vivo in an acute lung injury mouse model

Cx-43, transfer of mitochondria via EVs and TNTs

Islam et al. [43]

Preclinical in vitro

Human BM-MSCs

Apoptosis in human primary HUVEC induced by deprivation of oxygen

Transfer of mitochondria via TNTs

Liu et al. [44]

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo

Human BM-MSCs

Apoptosis in human primary bronchial epithelial cells and bronchial smooth muscle cells and human epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, A549 induced by rotenone. Apoptosis in mouse primary tracheal epithelial cells and mouse lung epithelial cell lines ML-12 and lung adenocarcinoma LA-4 induced by rotenone. Apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells in lung injury mouse models induced by rotenone or an allergen

Transfer of mitochondria via TNTs

Ahmad et al. [38]

Preclinical in vitro

Rat BM-MSCs

Apoptosis in rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2 induced by deprivation of glucose and oxygen

Transfer of mitochondria via TNTs

Han et al. [69]

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo

Human ASCs

Apoptosis in human primary cardiomyocytes or endothelial cells induced by ethidium bromide, hydrogen peroxide, or doxorubicin. Apoptosis in mouse cardiomyocytes induced in a myocardial infarction mouse model with LAD artery ligation

Transfer of mitochondria via EVs and/or TNTs, and Heme oxygenase

Mahrouf-Yorgov et al. [46]