Peripheral Axons Form Endoplasmic Reticulum-Rich Conduits With Breast Cancer Cells

Primary dorsal root ganglion neurons form thin ER-containing membrane conduits with EMT6 breast cancer cells, with ER-like membranes resolved at axon–cancer interfaces.

• Why it matters: Sensory axons are active in the tumor microenvironment, yet the physical pathway enabling axon–cancer communication is not well defined.
• What they did: ER-Tracker labeling and neuron-restricted expression of CNPY2 and ATL3 marked ER-rich axonal extensions contacting EMT6 cells, while serial-section scanning transmission electron microscopy mapped ER-like membranes at the interface.
• The result: Live holotomographic imaging and scanning electron microscopy showed dynamic contact formation and cancer-surface remodeling, enabling tests of whether neuronal ER supports direct signaling or material transfer.

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