Linking mitochondrial DNA release to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #Neuroinflammation
- #Neurodegeneration
- #Mitochondrial DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) links mitochondrial dysfunction to neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.
- mtDNA acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) when released, triggering immune responses in the nervous system.
- Defects in mitochondrial quality control, like impaired mitophagy, lead to damaged mtDNA accumulation and release.
- mtDNA can be released via mitochondria-derived vesicles, exosomes, or as cell-free mtDNA.
- The mitochondria-immune axis is a key contributor to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
- Potential therapeutic targets exist upstream in the molecular pathways of mtDNA release and immune activation.