English: A. High resolution 3D live-cell fluorescence image of a NT (white arrow) connecting two primary mesothelial cells one hour after plating on a collagen I coated glass cover slide. To facilitate detection, cell membranes were stained with WGA Alexa Fluor® 488. Scale bar: 20 µm.
B Depiction of a NT (black arrow) between two cells with scanning electron microscopy one hour after cell plating. Scale bar: 10 µm.
C F-actin staining by fluorescently labeled phalloidin showing actin being present in NTs between individual HPMCs (white arrow). Scale bar: 20 µm.
D Scanning electron microscope picture of a substrate-associated filopodia-like extension as potential NT precursor (black arrowhead). The insert shows a fluorescence microscopic image of substrate associated filopodia-like protrusions approaching a neighboring cell (white arrowhead). Scale bar: 2 µm.