Intercellular Mitochondrial Transfer: Implications in Cardiovascular Health.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Mitochondria are important organelles for metabolic homeostasis, cell fate, and survival. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondria are not confined to the cells. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer (IMT) is increasingly recognized between a variety of cells, including major cell types in the cardiovascular system. Observations made by coculture systems, genetic lineage-tracing approaches, and animal models indicate that mitochondria can be transferred between cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiac macrophages, and mesenchymal stromal cells. IMT has also been reported between a remote organ, for example, adipose tissue, and the heart, suggesting that mitochondrial trafficking can mediate communications not only between individual cells but also across organs. Two principal modes of IMT are reported. One involves directed, contact-dependent trafficking of mitochondria through membranous contacts or nanotubes. The other relies on the release of mitochondria, either packaged in membrane-bound vesicles or as free mitochondria, into the extracellular space followed by import into the acceptor cells. Consequences of IMT can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the cell type and the conditions under which the IMT occurs. Mechanisms underlying the transfer or its consequences are not fully understood, however. The role of IMT in c

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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