Ageing research reviews

How Mitochondrial DNA Release Is Linked to Brain Cell Loss and Memory Decline

Updated

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an active driver of inflammatory processes in neurodegenerative diseases.

  • mtDNA is susceptible to oxidative damage and can trigger immune responses when released from mitochondria.
  • The mechanisms regulating mtDNA escape from mitochondria involve defects in mitochondrial quality control.
  • Impaired mitophagy and macroautophagy lead to the accumulation of damaged mtDNA.
  • Damaged mtDNA can be released through mitochondria-derived vesicles, exosomes, or as cell-free mtDNA.
  • The interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and immune activation is linked to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

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Full Text

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Funding

Competing interests

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
PubMed

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