Author: Christine Chen
Editors: Louis Li, Hanni Yang, Justin Tai
Artist: Sherry Zhang
We often hear that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. To be more specific, however, mitochondria are tiny structures inside our cells that help produce energy in the form of ATP and manage metabolism. When these important mitochondria don’t work properly, it can lead to various types of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic issues, and heart disease. Recently, researchers have been exploring new ways to address these problems and develop treatments.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is common in many diseases since it affects how cells produce energy. This dysfunction can, in fact, worsen most diseases. New therapies targetting mitochondrial function have been developed, but delivering them is another issue. Therefore, there is a need for better ways to tackle mitochondrial issues.
Scientists are particularly interested in how mitochondria move between cells. This movement involves different mechanisms, including gap junction channels (a channel connecting two cells so they can trade information), vesicles (sacs used for transporting), and specialized tubes used for mitochondrial transport. Research shows that these connections allow mitochondria to move from one cell to another, which can help restore energy production in damaged cells. For example, an early study showed that mitochondria from certain stem cells could move into lung cancer cells lacking functioning mitochondria, improving the patient’s breathing. Furthermore, mitochondrial transfer can also improve cell health. For instance, studies in mouse models of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s–two types of neurodegenerative diseases–have shown improvement in their symptoms following mitochondrial transfer.
Mitochondrial transfer is the process where mitochondria move from one cell to another. This is a topic of interest because it could help treat diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction and aging. There are many ways for this transfer to happen. One is cell-to-cell fusion, where two cells merge and exchange their contents, including mitochondria. This can happen naturally or be triggered by other factors like viruses or chemicals. Researchers are still investigating how it works since we only know that it involves the interaction of proteins on cell surfaces. Another way mitochondria are transferred is through exosomes–tiny bubbles released by cells that carry functional mitochondria to other cells, even over long distances. Additionally, tunneling nanotubes, thin connections between cells, allow them to share materials, including mitochondria.
Understanding how mitochondria occur–both in lab settings (in vitro) and in living organisms (in vivo)--is important for grasping its implications in the health world. In vitro, a popular technique is using fluorescent dyes to stain mitochondria in donor cells. When mixed with the recipient cells, researchers can track the transfer using fluorescence microscopy. However, techniques used outside of biological organisms don’t always apply inside living organisms. Common in vivo approaches include animal models, such as mice, to study how mitochondria move between muscle cells. Researchers can use mitochondrial labeling and mtDNA haplotypes to trace mitochondrial origins. While some techniques are more advanced than others, they are all used by different researchers to study the mechanisms of these transfers.
While mitochondrial transfer holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and other conditions related to cell death, challenges remain. One risk is transferring damaged mitochondria, which would harm the receiving cell. There are also concerns about the immune system rejecting transferred mitochondria because they contain foreign genetic materials.
Citations:
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Embo Press, www.embopress.org/doi/epdf/10.15252/embr.201846255. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
Fliesler, Nancy. “How Mitochondrial Transfer Restores Heart Muscle.” Boston Children’s
Answers, 3 June 2024, answers.childrenshospital.org/mitochondrial-transfer/
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Approach for Multiple Diseases - Cell & Bioscience.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central,
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