Mitochondrial Transfer as a Novel Therapeutic Approach in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of numerous diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, and cancer. Mitochondrial transfer, the transfer of mitochondria from one cell to another, has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for restoring mitochondrial function in diseased cells. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of mitochondrial transfer, including its mechanisms, potential therapeutic applications, and impact on cell death pathways. We also discuss the future directions and challenges in the field of mitochondrial transfer as a novel therapeutic approach in disease diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: cancer; cell death; disease diagnosis; disease treatment; metabolic disorders; mitochondrial transfer; neurodegenerative diseases.

Figure 1

Main advances obtained after mitochondrial transfer in animals with central nervous system disorders. Nasal, intravenous, intracerebroventricular, and intrathecal injections are shown.

Figure 2

The mitochondrial exchange between adipocytes and macrophages in adipose tissue is described. Both promising treatment avenues and potential repercussions of an incorrect transfer are presented. The figure is based on Brestoff et al.’s study [131] and pictures as well as [9,133].