Obesity-Related Adipose Tissue Remodeling in the Light of Extracellular Mitochondria Transfer

Adipose tissue dysfunction is strongly associated with obesity and its metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is well established that lipid-overloaded adipose tissue produces a large range of secreted molecules that contribute a pro-inflammatory microenvironment which subsequently disseminates towards multi-organ metabolic homeostasis disruption. Besides physiopathological contribution of adipose-derived molecules, a new paradigm is emerging following the discovery that adipocytes have a propensity to extrude damaged mitochondria in the extracellular space, to be conveyed through the blood and taken up by cell acceptors, in a process called intercellular mitochondria transfer. This review summarizes the discovery of mitochondria transfer, its relation to cell quality control systems and recent data that demonstrate its relevant implication in the context of obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction.

Automated summary

Adipose tissue dysfunction is closely associated with obesity and its metabolic complications. It has been discovered that adipocytes have a tendency to extrude damaged mitochondria into the extracellular space, which can then be transported through the blood and taken up by other cells. This phenomenon has significant implications in the context of obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction.