Mitochondria and Neurodegeneration "Could Mitochondrial Organelle Transfer be a Cellular Biotherapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases?"

Abstract

Open Access Review Article when cocultured. The uptake of normal mitochondria into the cancer cells inhibited proliferation, increased drug sensitivity and decreased lactate production [3]. These results suggested that if MOT might be a cell-based therapy for cancer, it could also be a possible therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and other mitochondrial disorders. Mitochondria are involved in the longevity of the organism, and mitochondrial diseases are debilitating and occasionally fatal. Disorders and Diseases Associated With Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with many conditions besides cancer. Some of these conditions are aging, diabetes mellitus, Friedreich's Ataxia, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. This fact documents the important role mitochondria play in health and disease. This is discussed in detail in a very complex paper by Nunnari and Suomalainen entitled " Mitochondria in sickness and in health " [4]. This is a great article about all aspects of mitochondrial function in health and disease, and it is highly recommended. However, it is not for the novice. Now we know the result of MOT in cancer, it is appropriate to begin research to gain evidence that MOT could possible impact the treatment of these other diseases. If MOT could palliate and improve the condition of patients with ALS, it would be a tremendous hope for these fatal disease patients. Mitochondria are dynamic intracellular organelles that are active undergoing constant fission and fusion. They are intimately connected and networked with other cellular organelles. Their functions extend beyond cell membranes and controls organisms physiology by communications between cells, tissues and organs. Parquier et al. [5] reported on the preferential transfer of mitochondria from endothelial cells to cancer cells through tunneling nanotubes. This transfer mediates cytoplasmic transfer and phenotype exchange between cancer and Abstract It has been known for some time the abnormal function of mitochondria is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson', Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's diseases. Researchers have postulated the therapeutic efficacy of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants, and some have shown encouraging results. We have demonstrated that mitochondrial organelle transplantation of isolated normal mitochondria into cancer cells decreased proliferation, lactate production and increased drug sensitivity of the cancer cells. Studies have shown that cellular uptake of exogenous mitochondria has restored functional recovery of defective recipient cells. Based on our experience with Mitochondrial Organelle Transfer (MOT) in cancer, we present this review commentary evidence that (MOT) might be a cell-based therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.