Mitochondrial Transfer: From Bench to Bedside.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of mechanistic biology and translational concepts without new empirical human data
PubMed 41955327 · doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.125.326984
What was done
Narrative review summarizing the molecular biology and translational potential of intercellular mitochondrial transfer in cardiovascular medicine. The authors review mechanisms of transfer (tunneling nanotubes, extracellular vesicles, and free mitochondrial uptake), two conceptual pathways ("Rescue by Replenish" and "Relief by Release"), four potential translational strategies, and major translation barriers.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative data or specific numerical findings. It outlines four translational approaches (cell-based therapies, mitochondria-containing extracellular vesicles, purified mitochondria, and pharmacological/lifestyle interventions) and details translational challenges including inflammatory risks, oncogenic risks, mitonuclear incompatibility, uncertain organelle durability, and a lack of standardized manufacturing and potency assays.
Why it matters
Provides a structured framework for evaluating mitochondrial transfer as a therapeutic platform in cardiovascular and related systemic diseases.
Limits
Narrative review design without systematic search methodology or original experimental data. Clinical safety, efficacy, and dosing in humans are not established.
Cited by
- supports Healthy cells can physically join with damaged cells and donate healthy mitochondria directly into the damaged cell.