Mitochondria Dynamically Transplant into Cells in Vitro and in Mice and Rescue Aerobic Respiration of Mitochondrial DNA-Depleted Motor Neuron NSC-34

It has been reported that transplantation of pheochromocytoma P12 and hepatoma cells’ mitochondria improve the locomotive activity and prevent disease progress in experimental Parkinson’s disease rats. To prepare for mitochondrial transplantation study in human neurodegenerative diseases, we select human fibroblasts as mitochondrial donor because that fibroblasts share many characteristics with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). We isolate human primary fibroblasts and develop a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-depleted mouse motor neuron NSC-34 cells (NSC-34 ρ° cells). Fibroblast and NSC-34 cell’s mitochondria are co-cultured with NSC-34 ρ° cells. Mitochondrial transplantation is observed by fluorescent microscopy. Gene expression is determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real time PCR (qPCR). Also, mitochondria are injected to mice bearing mammary adenocarcinoma 4T1 cells. We find results as following: 1) There are abundant mitochondria in fibroblasts (337 ± 80 mitochondria per fibroblast). 42.4% of viable mitochondria are obtained by using differential centrifugation. The isolated mitochondria actively transplant into NSC-34 ρ° cells after co-culture. 2) Fibroblasts transfer mitochondria to human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. 3) There is no expression of HLA-I antigen in fibroblast’s mitochondria indicating they can be used for allogeneic mitochondrial transplantation without HLA antigen match. 4) PCR and qPCR show that NSC-34 ρ° cells lose mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I (MT-CO1) and mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase 1 (MT-ND1) and upregulate expression of glycolysis-associated genes hexokinase (HK2), glucose transporter 1 (SLC2A1) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). 5) Transplantation of NSC-34 mitochondria restores MT-CO1 and MT-ND1 and downregulates gene expression of HK2, SLC2A1 and LDHA. 6) Normal mammary epithelial mitochondria successfully enter to 4T1 cells in mice. Subcutaneous injection of mitochondria is safe for mice. In summary, mitochondrial transplantation replenishes mtDNA and rescues aerobic respiration of diseased cells with mitochondrial dysfunction. Human primary fibroblasts are potential mitochondrial donor for mitochondrial transplantation study in human neurodegenerative diseases.