Disrupted mitochondrial dynamics activate RNA-sensing innate immunity through mitochondrial RNA release

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that continuously remodel their morphology through fusion and fission in response to cellular cues. While this dynamic behavior is essential for diverse cellular functions, how mitochondrial dynamics influence innate immune responses remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that mitochondrial hyperfusion-induced by loss of the fission factor DRP1 or by cellular stress, including cycloheximide or doxorubicin treatment-is associated with activation of a RIG-I-MAVS-dependent innate immune response and BAX-dependent cytosolic release of mitochondrial RNA. Functionally, our data suggest that this pathway contributes to enhanced susceptibility to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and reduced tumor growth in a xenograft model. Collectively, our findings identify mitochondrial hyperfusion-induced mtRNA release as a mechanism that engages innate immune signaling downstream of impaired mitochondrial dynamics.