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Updated: Aug 24, 2025
MitoCeption: Transferring Isolated Human MSC Mitochondria to Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Published on: February 22, 2017
Shrimp miR-965 transfers tumoricidal mitochondria
Hyueyun Kim1, Ji Ha Choi1, Chang Mo Moon2
1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Magokdong-Ro 2-Gil, Gangseogu, Seoul, 07804, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Micro RNA of Marsupenaeus japonicas has been known to promote apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the detailed mechanisms are not well understood.
Results:
Using tomographic microscope, which can detect the internal structure of cells, we observed breast tumor cells following treatment of the miRNA. Intriguingly, we found that mitochondria migrate to an adjacent tumor cells through a tunneling nanotube. To recapitulate this process, we engineered a microfluidic device through which mitochondria were transferred. We show that this mitochondrial transfer process released endonuclease G (Endo G) into tumor cells, which we referred to herein as unsealed mitochondria. Importantly, Endo G depleted mitochondria alone did not have tumoricidal effects. Moreover, unsealed mitochondria had synergistic apoptotic effects with subtoxic dose of doxorubicin thereby mitigating cardiotoxicity.
Conclusions:
Together, we show that the mitochondrial transfer through microfluidics can provide potential novel strategies towards tumor cell death.
Insights
Micro RNA from Marsupenaeus japonicas facilitates tumor cell death by transferring mitochondria. This process, engineered via microfluidics, releases endonuclease G, offering novel cancer treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Micro RNA (miRNA) from Marsupenaeus japonicas is known to induce tumor cell apoptosis.
- The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this miRNA-mediated tumoricidal effect remain largely unelucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which Marsupenaeus japonicas miRNA induces tumor cell apoptosis.
- To explore the potential of engineered mitochondrial transfer as a cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a tomographic microscope to observe cellular changes in breast tumor cells treated with miRNA.
- Engineered a microfluidic device to facilitate and study the transfer of mitochondria between tumor cells.
- Assessed the role of endonuclease G (Endo G) released during mitochondrial transfer.
Main Results:
- Observed mitochondria migrating between tumor cells via tunneling nanotubes following miRNA treatment.
- Demonstrated that transferred mitochondria release endonuclease G (Endo G) into recipient tumor cells, termed 'unsealed mitochondria'.
- Found that unsealed mitochondria exhibit synergistic apoptotic effects with doxorubicin, reducing cardiotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial transfer, facilitated by microfluidics, represents a novel strategy for inducing tumor cell death.
- This approach holds promise for developing new cancer treatment modalities with reduced side effects.
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