bims-mitrat Biomed News
on Mitochondrial transplantation and transfer
Issue of 2025–01–05
eleven papers selected by
Gökhan Burçin Kubat, Gulhane Health Sciences Institute



  1. Sci Rep. 2024 12 28. 14(1): 31236
      Heart transplantation remains the ultimate treatment strategy for neonates and children with medically refractory end-stage heart failure and utilization of donors after circulatory death (DCD) can expand th donor pool. We have previously shown that mitochondrial transplantation preserves myocardial function and viability in neonatal swine DCD hearts to levels similar to that observed in donation after brain death (DBD). Herein, we sought to investigate the transcriptomic and proteomic pathways implicated in these phenotypic changes using ex situ perfused swine hearts. Pathway analysis showed that ATP binding, voltage-gated K channel activity involved in cardiac cell muscle contraction and ribosomal RNA biogenesis were upregulated in the mitochondrial transplantation group, while mitochondria were the predicted source. Promotion of ribosome biogenesis and downregulation of apoptosis were the overlapping mechanisms between transcriptomic and proteomic alterations. Moreover, we showed that mitochondrial transplantation modulates ischemic transcriptomic and proteomic profiles to that of non-ischemia through the mitochondria. Replication of these findings in human in vivo experiments is warranted.
    Keywords:  Donation after cardiac death; Ex situ heart perfusion; Mitochondrial transplantation; Neonatal; Proteomic; RNA sequencing
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82578-2
  2. J Transl Med. 2024 Dec 31. 22(1): 1160
      Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality among individuals with noncommunicable diseases worldwide. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mitochondria are integral to the cardiovascular system, and it has been reported that mitochondrial transfer is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple CVDs and obesity. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the relevance of mitochondrial transfer to cardiovascular health and disease, emphasizing the critical functions of mitochondria in energy metabolism and signal transduction within the cardiovascular system. This highlights how disruptions in mitochondrial transfer contribute to various CVDs, such as myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies, and hypertension. Additionally, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms governing mitochondrial transfer and its potential implications for CVD treatment. This finding underscores the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transfer and addresses the various mechanisms and challenges in its implementation. By delving into mitochondrial transfer and its targeted modulation, this review aims to advance our understanding of cardiovascular disease treatment, presenting new insights and potential therapeutic strategies in this evolving field.
    Keywords:  Cardiomyopathies; Cardiovascular diseases; Mitochondrial transfer; Myocardial infarction; Therapeutic strategies
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05979-x
  3. Front Aging Neurosci. 2024 ;16 1517965
      In recent years, mitochondrial transfer has emerged as a universal phenomenon intertwined with various systemic physiological and pathological processes. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease, with mitochondrial dysfunction at its core. Although numerous studies have found evidence of mitochondrial transfer in AD models, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Recent studies have revealed the dynamic transfer of mitochondria in Alzheimer's disease, not only between nerve cells and glial cells, but also between nerve cells and glial cells. In this review, we explore the pathways and mechanisms of mitochondrial transfer in Alzheimer's disease and how these transfer activities contribute to disease progression.
    Keywords:  AD treatment; Alzheimer’s disease; mitochondrial dysfunction; mitochondrial transfer; neuroprotection
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2024.1517965
  4. Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Jan 02. 60(1): 43-53
      Objective: To investigate whether there is mitochondrial transfer in dental mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and its significance for the odontogenic differentiation. Methods: Flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining were used to isolate dental mesenchymal stem cells. Immunofluorescence staining and live cell imaging were applied to determine whether there is mitochondrial transfer in dental MSCs. Transcriptome sequencing data re-analysis of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from gene expression omnibus (GEO) data base demonstrated the importance of mitochondrial transfer in dental MSCs. Cells were managed with mitochondrial transfer inhibitor ML141 with dimethyl sulfoxide as the control. Immunofluorescence staining, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(Edu) labelling, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Western blotting, live cell imaging and transmission electron microscope were used to investigate cell morphology, ROS level, cellular senescence, cell proliferation, MSCs marker paired related homeobox 1 (Prrx1) and Sp7 transcription factor (Sp7) expression, mitochondrial transfer and mitochondrial morphology, respectively. Further, after using ML141 during the induction of odontogenic differentiation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) chromogenic kit was used to detect ALP activity and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of odontogenic differentiation-related genes Alp, Sp7, dentin matrix protein 1 (Dmp1), and dentin salivary phosphoprotein (Dspp), which were applied to investigate the effect of mitochondrial transfer on odontogenic differentiation. Results: An ultrafine tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) structure labelled with F-actin existed between dental MSCs, and the presence of transferring mitochondria in this structure was also confirmed. Transcriptome sequencing data suggested that the gene expression profiles were significantly different between DPSCs and BMSCs. Genes related to mitochondrial transfer and mitochondrial dynamic were significantly increased in DPSCs compared to BMSCs. Compared with the control group, treatment with 1, 5, 10 μmol/L ML141, the mitochondrial transfer inhibitor, had little significant effects on the cell morphology, cytoskeleton and ROS level. SA-β-gal activity and the proportion of SA-β-gal positive cells in the ML141-treated groups [(3.93±0.21)%, (3.23±0.42)%, (4.06±0.84)%] had no significant differences with the control group [(3.83±0.28)%] (all P>0.05). In the cell proliferation assay, the proportion of EdU positive cells in the ML141-treated groups [(20.00±3.82)%, (19.48±1.96)%, (12.55±2.86)%] had no significant differences (all P>0.05) with the control group [(18.57±0.87)%], whereas the CCK-8 assay showed similar results in ML141-treated group of 1, 5 μmol/L all P>0.05. Western blotting results showed that the protein expression levels of PRRX1 and SP7 in the ML141-treated group had no significant differences with the control group. Live cell imaging showed that compared with the control group [(31.42±4.01)%], the proportion of TNTs and mitochondrial transfer in the ML141-treated groups [(13.45±1.46)%, (10.36±3.47)%, (9.32±1.11)%] were significantly decreased in dental MSCs (all P<0.001). Scanning electron microscope showed that the mitochondrial morphology of dental MSCs in the ML141-treated group was similar to the control group, with globular and short-rod shape. After 7 days of odontogenic differentiation, the ALP staining intensity of the ML141-treated group was significantly lower than the control group. After 21 days of induction, RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group, the relative mRNA expressions of Alp, Sp7, Dmp1 and Dspp were significantly decreased in the ML141-treated group (all P<0.05), indicating that the suppression of mitochondrial transfer in dental MSCs inhibited the odontogenic differentiation. Conclusions: Mitochondrial transfer exists between dental MSCs, and inhibition of mitochondrial transfer impairs the odontogenic differentiation.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.cn112144-20240926-00360
  5. Mol Ther. 2024 Dec 30. pii: S1525-0016(24)00847-5. [Epub ahead of print]
      Despite various available treatments, highly prevalent osteoarthritis cannot be cured in patients. In light of evidence showing mitochondria dysfunction during the disease progression, our goal was to develop a novel therapeutic concept based on the transplantation of mitochondria as platforms to deliver recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) gene vectors with a potency for osteoarthritis. For the first time to our best knowledge, we report the successful creation of a safe mitochondria/rAAV system effectively promoting the overexpression of a candidate insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) by administration to autologous human osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes versus control conditions (reporter mitochondria/rAAV lacZ system, rAAV-free system, absence of mitochondria transplantation) (up to 8.4-fold difference). The candidate mitochondria/rAAV IGF-I system significantly improved key activities in the transplanted cells (proliferation/survival, extracellular matrix production, mitochondria functions) relative to the control conditions (up to 9.5-fold difference), including when provided in a PF127 hydrogel for reinforced delivery (up to 5.9-fold difference). Such effects were accompanied with increased levels of cartilage-specific SOX9 and Mfn-1 (mitochondria fusion) and with decreased levels of Drp-1 (mitochondria fission) and proinflammatory TNF-α (up to 4.5-fold difference). This study shows the potential of combining the use of mitochondria with rAAV as a promising approach for human OA.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.12.047
  6. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024 Dec 18. pii: S0006-291X(24)01750-9. [Epub ahead of print]745 151214
      Fibroblast-mediated oxidative stress is a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of skin photoaging, predominantly induced by UVA radiation. Diverging from traditional strategies that concentrate on the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the present study implements mitochondrial transplantation as an innovative therapeutic approach. The objective of this study is to reestablish the oxidative microenvironment and to effectively rejuvenate cellular functionality through the direct introduction of healthy and vibrant mitochondria. In vitro assays have illustrated that the seamless incorporation of exogenous mitochondria into fibroblasts ameliorates UVA radiation perturbations in membrane potential and oxidative stress, while simultaneously reestablishing the oxidative microenvironment. These interventions exert salutary influences on cellular proliferation and migratory capabilities. Subsequent in vivo analyses reveal a mitigation in dermal collagen depletion, alongside an enhancement in collagen fiber density and tissue architecture post-mitochondrial transplantation, thus ameliorating the manifestations of skin photoaging. Collectively, the study underscores the potential of mitochondrial transplantation as a promising therapeutic intervention for the reversal of skin photoaging by modulating the oxidative microenvironment within fibroblasts.
    Keywords:  Fibroblasts; Mitochondrial transplantation; Oxidative stress; Photoaging; Ultraviolet a (UVA)
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.151214
  7. NPJ Regen Med. 2024 Dec 30. 9(1): 43
      Epidural fibrosis post laminectomy is the leading cause of failed back surgery syndrome. Little is known about the role and mechanisms of adipose tissues in epidural fibrosis. Here, we found that obese patients were more likely to develop epidural fibrosis after spine surgery. Similarly, obesity led to more progressive epidural fibrosis in a mouse model of laminectomy. Adipocyte-myofibroblast transition (AMT) occurs in epidural scarring. Mechanistically, large extracellular vesicles (EVs) from M2-type macrophages transfer mitochondria into adipocytes and promote AMT by activating the TGF-β and PAI-1 pathways. Blocking the PAI-1 pathway significantly attenuated the transition of adipocytes into myofibroblasts. We conclude that large EVs from macrophages transfer mitochondria to promote AMT in epidural fibrosis.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-024-00388-6
  8. Nat Commun. 2025 Jan 02. 16(1): 80
      Hibernating brown bears, due to a drastic reduction in metabolic rate, show only moderate muscle wasting. Here, we evaluate if ATPase activity of resting skeletal muscle myosin can contribute to this energy sparing. By analyzing single muscle fibers taken from the same bears, either during hibernation or in summer, we find that fibers from hibernating bears have a mild decline in force production and a significant reduction in ATPase activity. Single fiber proteomics, western blotting, and immunohistochemical analyses reveal major remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome during hibernation. Furthermore, using bioinformatical approaches and western blotting we find that phosphorylated myosin light chain, a known stimulator of basal myosin ATPase activity, is decreased in hibernating and disused muscles. These results suggest that skeletal muscle limits energy loss by reducing myosin ATPase activity, indicating a possible role for myosin ATPase activity modulation in multiple muscle wasting conditions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55565-4
  9. Nat Commun. 2024 Dec 30. 15(1): 10786
      Impaired muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity is associated with future cognitive impairment, and higher levels of PET and blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration. Here, we examine its associations with up to over a decade-long changes in brain atrophy and microstructure. Higher in vivo skeletal muscle oxidative capacity via MR spectroscopy (post-exercise recovery rate, kPCr) is associated with less ventricular enlargement and brain aging progression, and less atrophy in specific regions, notably primary sensorimotor cortex, temporal white and gray matter, thalamus, occipital areas, cingulate cortex, and cerebellum white matter. Higher kPCr is also associated with less microstructural integrity decline in white matter around cingulate, including superior longitudinal fasciculus, corpus callosum, and cingulum. Higher in vivo muscle oxidative capacity is associated with preserved brain structure up to over a decade, particularly in areas important for cognition, motor function, and sensorimotor integration.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55009-z
  10. Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Dec;20 Suppl 1 e090369
       BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial bioenergetics are essential for cellular function, specifically the intricacies of the electron transport chain (ETC), with Complex IV playing a crucial role in unraveling the mechanisms governing energy production. Mathematical models offer a valuable approach to simulate these complex processes, providing insights into normal mitochondrial function and aberrations associated with various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Our research focuses on introducing and refining a mathematical model, emphasizing Complex IV in the ETC, with objectives including incorporating mitochondrial activity modulation using inhibiting and uncoupling reagents, akin to oxygen consumption experiments. Rigorous validation, calibrating against Oroboros Oxygraph-2k data from C57BL/6 mouse mitochondria, ensures accurate reproduction of dynamic bioenergetic activities. The developed graphical user interface (GUI) complements objectives, providing an in silico platform for seamless hypothesis testing (in MATLAB).
    METHOD: Employing an innovative kinetic methodology, our research integrates inhibiting reagents (oligomycin, rotenone, antimycin A, FCCP) into the developed computational model to simulate bioenergetic responses across varied physiological conditions. Optimization of the Mean Square Error (MSE) objective function using multiple optimizing algorithms, including the genetic algorithm, and calibration against Oroboros Oxygraph-2k data using freshly isolated mitochondria from C57BL/6 mice ensures rigorous validation of the model's precision under both unperturbed and perturbed scenarios. These outcomes unequivocally affirm the model's efficacy in accurately simulating the intricate contributions of Complex IV to bioenergetics.
    RESULT: The outcomes highlight the model's efficacy in reproducing bioenergetic activities, mirroring experimental outcomes. The GUI facilitates user-friendly in silico simulations, offering a valuable complement to traditional experiments. Beyond bioenergetics, the model proves beneficial in studying mitochondrial dysfunction, presenting insights into neurodegenerative diseases. The model's potential for early detection and therapeutic intervention contributes to advancements in understanding and treating neurological disorders.
    CONCLUSION: Our refined mathematical model successfully simulates mitochondrial bioenergetics, emphasizing Complex IV dynamics. Validated against experimental data, the model accurately reproduces bioenergetic activities and demonstrates the potential for studying mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. The integration of inhibiting and uncoupling reagents, along with the user-friendly GUI, enhances accessibility and usability. Our research contributes to advancing the medical understanding, emphasizing the role of computational models in unraveling mitochondrial complexities in neurological disorders.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.090369
  11. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2024 Dec 29. pii: S0955-0674(24)00139-X. [Epub ahead of print]92 102460
      Mitochondria are dynamic organelles essential for cellular homeostasis, undergoing continuous fission and fusion processes that regulate their morphology, distribution, and function. Disruptions in these dynamics are linked to numerous diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Understanding these processes is vital for developing therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction. This review provides an overview of recent perspectives on mitochondrial dynamics, focusing on the need for live video microscopy imaging in order to fully understand mitochondrial phenotypes and pathology. Advanced imaging tools, such as machine learning-based segmentation and label-free microscopy approaches, have the potential to transform our ability to study mitochondrial dynamics in live cells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102460