Mitochondria are secreted in extracellular vesicles when lysosomal function is impaired

Mitochondrial quality control is critical for cardiac homeostasis as these organelles are responsible for generating most of the energy needed to sustain contraction. Dysfunctional mitochondria are normally degraded via intracellular degradation pathways that converge on the lysosome. Here, we identified an alternative mechanism to eliminate mitochondria when lysosomal function is compromised. We show that lysosomal inhibition leads to increased secretion of mitochondria in large extracellular vesicles (EVs). The EVs are produced in multivesicular bodies, and their release is independent of autophagy. Deletion of the small GTPase Rab7 in cells or adult mouse heart leads to increased secretion of EVs containing…

• TD
  Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program

  Award: T30FT0846
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01HL157265, NS047101, NINDS NS047101, S10OD023527, R01HL155281
• UO
  University of California, San Diego

  Awards: SCR_022039, NS047101
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

  Awards: NS047101, S10OD023527