Journal
MITOCHONDRION
Volume 59, Issue -, Pages 225-245Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.04.002
Keywords
Psychosocial stress; Mitochondria; mtDNA; cell-free DNA; Non-inflammatory effects; Standard protocol
Categories
Funding
- NIH [GM119793, MH119336]
- Wharton Fund
- NARSAD young investigator grant
- Swedish Research Council [2020-01428]
- province of Scania (Sweden) state grants (ALF)
- Swedish Research Council [2020-01428] Funding Source: Swedish Research Council
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Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) serves as a marker of inflammatory disease and predictor of mortality, with potential implications in psychobiology. Research shows that cf-mtDNA levels vary in response to stressors such as psychological stress and exercise, highlighting the dynamic regulation of its levels. Studies also suggest conflicting evidence on the pro-inflammatory nature of physiological forms of cf-mtDNA, opening up possibilities for further research into its roles and mechanisms.
Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) is a marker of inflammatory disease and a predictor of mortality, but little is known about cf-mtDNA in relation to psychobiology. A systematic review of the literature reveals that blood cf-mtDNA varies in response to common real-world stressors including psychopathology, acute psychological stress, and exercise. Moreover, cf-mtDNA is inducible within minutes and exhibits high intra-individual day-to-day variation, highlighting the dynamic regulation of cf-mtDNA levels. We discuss current knowledge on the mechanisms of cf-mtDNA release, its forms of transport (cell-free does not mean membrane-free), potential physiological functions, putative cellular and neuroendocrine triggers, and factors that may contribute to cf-mtDNA removal from the circulation. A review of in vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical studies shows conflicting results around the dogma that physiological forms of cf-mtDNA are pro-inflammatory, opening the possibility of other physiological functions, including the cell-to-cell transfer of whole mitochondria. Finally, to enhance the reproducibility and biological interpretation of human cf-mtDNA research, we propose guidelines for blood collection, cf-mtDNA isolation, quantification, and reporting standards, which can promote concerted advances by the community. Defining the mechanistic basis for cf-mtDNA signaling is an opportunity to elucidate the role of mitochondria in brain-body interactions and psychopathology.
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