Researchers Utilize Mitochondrial Transfer to Restore Damaged Neurons
- Jan 8
- 2 min read
For millions of people suffering from chronic nerve pain, even the slightest touch can be agonizing,. However, a groundbreaking study published in Nature by researchers at Duke University School ofMedicine suggests a revolutionary way to treat this pain at its source. Scientists have discovered that replenishingmitochondria—the "energy factories" of the cell—within damaged nerves can significantly reduce pain.
The research reveals that nerve cells do not always produce their own power in isolation. Instead, they receive "periodic infusions" of mitochondria from neighboring satellite glial cells. These support cells use tiny, bridge-like channels called tunnelingnanotubes to ship healthy mitochondria directly to struggling neurons. This "built-in support system" is essential for maintaining the high energy demands of long nerve fibers, such as the sciatic nerve.
When this energy exchange is disrupted, nerve fibers begin to degenerate, causing the spontaneous firing that leads to tingling, numbness, and chronic pain. By boosting this natural transfer or injecting healthy mitochondria directly into nerve clusters, researchers reduced pain behaviors in mice by up to 50%, with relief lasting up to 48 hours.
Notably, the study found that small nerve fibers, which are frequently damaged by diabetes and chemotherapy, receive fewer mitochondria than larger fibers, making them more vulnerable to breakdown. Furthermore, the team identified a protein called MYO10 as a critical component for building the nanotubes that facilitate this life-saving energy swap.
"Instead of masking symptoms, the approach could fix what the team sees as the root problem—restoring the energy flow that keeps nerve cells healthy," stated senior author Ru-Rong Ji. While further imaging is required to see these nanotubes in living tissue, the findings suggest that mitochondrial transfer could eventually treat a wide range of conditions, including stroke,obesity, and cancer.
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Keywords: Mitochondrial Transfer
Mitochondrial Transfer
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