Intercellular Mitochondrial Transfer as Endogenous Neuroprotection: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications in Ischemic Stroke - PubMed
an hour ago
- #mitochondrial transfer
- #neuroprotection
- #ischemic stroke
- Intercellular mitochondrial transfer is an emerging neuroprotective mechanism in ischemic stroke.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is central to ischemic injury, causing energy failure and cell death.
- Transfer of functional mitochondria from donor cells to compromised cells occurs via tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and gap junctions.
- Astrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and pericytes can transfer mitochondria to neurons or brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), aiding recovery.
- The process helps maintain blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and supports neurological recovery, regulated by inflammatory and metabolic signals.
- Potential therapeutic approaches include pharmacotherapies, non-pharmacological interventions, and direct mitochondrial transplantation.
- Challenges for clinical translation include transfer selectivity, durability, delivery efficiency, and immune safety, requiring further research and standardization.