The Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA: A Novel Biomarker of Cardiovascular Risk?

Abstract

Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA could find in healthy subjects and patients with neoplasia, trauma, infections, stroke, autoimmune, metabolic and rheumatic diseases. The triggers of cell-free mitochondrial DNA secretion are various impacts, i.e. microbial antigen stimulation, inflammatory cytokine, active molecules. It is speculated that the cell-free mitochondrial DNA might be a critical activator of inflammation, coagulation and the innate immune system linking mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death and target organ injury. There is evidence regarding that the cell-free mitochondrial DNA levels may elevate in healthy individuals depending aging and in cancer and non-cancer subjects at risk of CV diseases, as well as in persons with established CH disease. The results of several studies have shown that elevated circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA has associated with cardiovascular (CV) diseases, while diagnostic and predictive value of this biomarker in non-cancer individuals is not fully clear. The mini review is devoted the biological role, diagnostic and predictive value of cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients at CV risk.