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Suh J, Lee YS. Mitochondria as secretory organelles and therapeutic cargos. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:66-85. [PMID: 38172601 PMCID: PMC10834547 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria have been primarily considered intracellular organelles that are responsible for generating energy for cell survival. However, accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondria are secreted into the extracellular space under physiological and pathological conditions, and these secreted mitochondria play diverse roles by regulating metabolism, the immune response, or the differentiation/maturation in target cells. Furthermore, increasing amount of research shows the therapeutic effects of local or systemic administration of mitochondria in various disease models. These findings have led to growing interest in exploring mitochondria as potential therapeutic agents. Here, we discuss the emerging roles of mitochondria as extracellularly secreted organelles to shed light on their functions beyond energy production. Additionally, we provide information on therapeutic outcomes of mitochondrial transplantation in animal models of diseases and an update on ongoing clinical trials, underscoring the potential of using mitochondria as a novel therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joonho Suh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Sil Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Turkel I, Ozerklig B, Yılmaz M, Ulger O, Kubat GB, Tuncer M. Mitochondrial transplantation as a possible therapeutic option for sarcopenia. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023:10.1007/s00109-023-02326-3. [PMID: 37209146 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02326-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
With advancing age, the skeletal muscle phenotype is characterized by a progressive loss of mass, strength, and quality. This phenomenon, known as sarcopenia, has a negative impact on quality of life and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Accumulating evidence suggests that damaged and dysfunctional mitochondria play a critical role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Lifestyle modifications, such as physical activity, exercise, and nutrition, as well as medical interventions with therapeutic agents, are effective in the management of sarcopenia and offer solutions to maintain and improve skeletal muscle health. Although a great deal of effort has been devoted to the identification of the best treatment option, these strategies are not sufficient to overcome sarcopenia. Recently, it has been reported that mitochondrial transplantation may be a possible therapeutic approach for the treatment of mitochondria-related pathological conditions such as ischemia, liver toxicity, kidney injury, cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Given the role of mitochondria in the function and metabolism of skeletal muscle, mitochondrial transplantation may be a possible option for the treatment of sarcopenia. In this review, we summarize the definition and characteristics of sarcopenia and molecular mechanisms associated with mitochondria that are known to contribute to sarcopenia. We also discuss mitochondrial transplantation as a possible option. Despite the progress made in the field of mitochondrial transplantation, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of mitochondrial transplantation in sarcopenia. KEY MESSAGES: Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and quality. Although the specific mechanisms that lead to sarcopenia are not fully understood, mitochondria have been identified as a key factor in the development of sarcopenia. Damaged and dysfunctional mitochondria initiate various cellular mediators and signaling pathways, which largely contribute to the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Mitochondrial transplantation has been reported to be a possible option for the treatment/prevention of several diseases. Mitochondrial transplantation may be a possible therapeutic option for improving skeletal muscle health and treating sarcopenia. Mitochondrial transplantation as a possible treatment option for sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Turkel
- Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Sport Sciences and Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Berkay Ozerklig
- Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Sport Sciences and Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Merve Yılmaz
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Oner Ulger
- Department of Mitochondria and Cellular Research, Health Sciences Institute, Health Sciences University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Burcin Kubat
- Division of Sport Sciences and Technology, Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
- Department of Mitochondria and Cellular Research, Health Sciences Institute, Health Sciences University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Meltem Tuncer
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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D'Amato M, Morra F, Di Meo I, Tiranti V. Mitochondrial Transplantation in Mitochondrial Medicine: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:1969. [PMID: 36768312 PMCID: PMC9916997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) are inherited genetic conditions characterized by pathogenic mutations in nuclear DNA (nDNA) or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Current therapies are still far from being fully effective and from covering the broad spectrum of mutations in mtDNA. For example, unlike heteroplasmic conditions, MDs caused by homoplasmic mtDNA mutations do not yet benefit from advances in molecular approaches. An attractive method of providing dysfunctional cells and/or tissues with healthy mitochondria is mitochondrial transplantation. In this review, we discuss what is known about intercellular transfer of mitochondria and the methods used to transfer mitochondria both in vitro and in vivo, and we provide an outlook on future therapeutic applications. Overall, the transfer of healthy mitochondria containing wild-type mtDNA copies could induce a heteroplasmic shift even when homoplasmic mtDNA variants are present, with the aim of attenuating or preventing the progression of pathological clinical phenotypes. In summary, mitochondrial transplantation is a challenging but potentially ground-breaking option for the treatment of various mitochondrial pathologies, although several questions remain to be addressed before its application in mitochondrial medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco D'Amato
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Morra
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Ivano Di Meo
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Tiranti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20126 Milan, Italy
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Mitochondrial Transplantation Promotes Remyelination and Long-Term Locomotion Recovery following Cerebral Ischemia. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:1346343. [PMID: 36157892 PMCID: PMC9499812 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1346343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia usually leads to axonal degeneration and demyelination in the adjacent white matter. Promoting remyelination still remains a challenging issue in the field. Considering that ischemia deprives energy supply to neural cells and high metabolic activities are required by oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) for myelin formation, we assessed the effects of transplanting exogenous healthy mitochondria on the degenerating process of oligodendrocytes following focal cerebral ischemia in the present study. Our results showed that exogenous mitochondria could efficiently restore the overall mitochondrial function and be effectively internalized by OPCs in the ischemic cortex. In comparison with control cortex, there were significantly less apoptotic and more proliferative OPCs in mitochondria-treated cortex. More importantly, higher levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) and more morphologically normal myelin-wrapped axons were observed in mitochondria-treated cortex at 21 days postinjury, as revealed by light and electron microscope. Behavior assay showed better locomotion recovery in mitochondria-treated mice. Further analysis showed that olig2 and lipid synthesis signaling were significantly increased in mitochondria-treated cortex. In together, our data illustrated an antidegenerating and myelination-promoting effect of exogenous mitochondria, indicating mitochondria transplantation as a potentially valuable treatment for ischemic stroke.
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