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Role of exosomal mitochondria in cardiovascular diseases

Hypertension Research volume 46, pages 812–813 (2023)Cite this article

Every decade, researchers and clinicians have discovered several therapeutic drugs and their targets. However, the treatment of some diseases remains challenging for clinicians. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has threatened the human community, and, among other communicable and noncommunicable diseases, it remains the leading cause of mortality. CVDs are complex pathophysiological diseases, and several risk factors complicate their treatment. Advances in CVD research and the maintenance of cardiovascular health have increased patient survival; however, effective treatment strategies and early detection methods are urgently needed. Recently, emerging research on exosomes has revealed their importance in various diseases. Exosomes can be used as therapeutic targets as well as biomarkers. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that communicate with nearby cells and that carry bioactive molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids, such as DNA, mRNA, and microRNA. Interestingly, exosomes also contain mitochondrial content and genetic material. Several studies have focused on the role of exosomal microRNAs (exomiRs) in cardiovascular disease [1, 2]. However, the role of exosomal mitochondria has not yet been well studied. In this paper, we discuss the role of exosomal mitochondria in CVDs.

Most cardiovascular diseases and heart failure are associated with impaired mitochondrial function, and no drugs are available for the treatment of this dysfunction. The heart demands large amounts of energy that are provided by the mitochondria through oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, mitochondria regulate various biological functions, including cell growth and death, reactive oxygen species signaling, biosynthesis, inflammation, protein quality control, ion homeostasis, and redox balance. These functions are crucial in cardiac pathology, which strongly indicates that mitochondria are important targets for cardiovascular treatment. At the same time, we need to understand that the condition of a single mitochondrion is not in itself enough to lead to cardiovascular disease. An understanding of how mitochondria communicate with other mitochondria and cause dysfunction is necessary to research cardiovascular pathogenesis. Crosstalk between mitochondria from one cell to another cell or tissue and communication between the nucleus and other cellular organelles are emerging topics in mitochondrial research. Previous research has shown that mitochondria communicate with the nucleus through epigenetic mechanisms, which determine cell fate. In addition, several nuclear genes, mitochondria-related proteins, and microRNAs regulate and determine mitochondrial function, even though mitochondria have genomes, proteins, and enzymes [3, 4].

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  1. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India

    Kannan Balachander, Jayaseelan Vijayashree Priyadharsini & Arumugam Paramasivam

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  1. Kannan Balachander
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  2. Jayaseelan Vijayashree Priyadharsini
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  3. Arumugam Paramasivam
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Correspondence to Arumugam Paramasivam.

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Balachander, K., Vijayashree Priyadharsini, J. & Paramasivam, A. Role of exosomal mitochondria in cardiovascular diseases. Hypertens Res 46, 812–813 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-022-01160-3

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