Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (25): 5443-5453.doi: 10.12307/2025.515

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Main pathways, roles, and regulatory mechanisms of intercellular mitochondrial transfer

Li Xingfu1, 2, Zhou Guangqian1, Lu Wei1, 2   

  1. 1Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China; 2Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2024-05-20 Accepted:2024-06-12 Online:2025-09-08 Published:2024-12-28
  • Contact: Lu Wei, PhD, Chief physician, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:Li Xingfu, MD, Physician, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Sports Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, Guangdong Province, China; Zhou Guangqian, PhD, Professor, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82072515 (to LW); Fundamental Research Program of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, No. JCYJ20220530150615035 (to LXF) 

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to cellular senescence and apoptosis, exacerbating tissue damage. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer in injured cells restores mitochondrial function, offering potential therapeutic strategies for mitochondria-related diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To review the effects and regulatory mechanisms of intercellular mitochondrial transfer.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on mitochondrial transfer between cells in the CNKI and PubMed databases from 2014 to 2024. The Chinese and English search terms used were “mitochondrial transfer, tunneling nanotubes, gap junctions, microvesicles, cell fusion.” Eventually, a total of 74 articles were analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the four principal mechanisms underlying mitochondrial transfer between cells, encompassing tunneling nanotubes, gap junctions, cell fusion, and microvesicles. (2) This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal roles played by intercellular mitochondrial transfer, encompassing material exchange, transmission of information, enhancement of host cell mitochondrial function, attenuation of oxidative stress, augmentation of cellular proliferation activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-aging properties. (3) The article provides a comprehensive overview of the main regulatory mechanisms involved in cell mitochondria transfer. These include the promotion of tunneling nanotube formation and mitochondrial transfer by Miro 1, dependence of tunneling nanotubes-mediated mitochondrial transfer on host cell cyclic ADP ribose hydrolase expression, induction of tunneling nanotube formation in an oxidative stress environment, Ca2+-dependent gap junctions, influence of Cx43 on gap junction formation, contribution of Ras1 and actin activation to cell fusion, and involvement of actin and Rab6 in the regulation of mitochondrial exocytosis, activation of actin and NAD+-CD38-cADPR-Ca2+ signaling pathways for promoting mitochondrial entry. (4) The transfer of mitochondria occurs via tunneling nanotubes, gap junctions, microvesicles, and cell fusion under the influence of cell signaling proteins, proteins associated with cellular dynamics, and oxidative stress. (5) Mitochondrial transfer plays a pivotal role in facilitating both material and information exchange between cells, thereby intimately linking to the onset and progression of diseases, which can provide new ideas for the treatment of mitochondria-related diseases. However, further investigations are warranted to unravel the effects and regulatory mechanisms of intercellular mitochondrial transfer. 

Key words: mitochondrial transfer, tunneling nanotube, gap junction, microvesicle, cell fusion, stem cell, oxidative stress, senescence

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