A group of international experts published last January 16 in the prestigious journal Nature Metabolism a Consensus Statement proposing a nomenclature framework to describe mitochondria transfer and transplantation, a crucial biological process with emerging therapeutic implications.
For Patricia Luz, IMPACT researcher in the area of mitochondria and part of this statement, the importance of this statement is that currently, the nomenclature for the process of mitochondrial transfer is quite varied and there is no homogeneity to refer to this process.
“It is extremely important to establish guidelines for a common and precise language. Currently, the lack of homogeneity in terms can generate misunderstandings and make it difficult to interpret the results of different studies, in addition to making the exchange of knowledge between scientists and clinicians at a global level more complex, therefore, the establishment of a common language not only improves communication within the scientific community, but also facilitates the replicability of experiments, the comparison of data and, above all, the rigorous evaluation of the results,” he assures.
The intercellular transfer of mitochondria allows one cell to deliver part of its mitochondria to another without cell division. This process, originally linked to metabolic support of recipient cells, is now recognized as critical for broader functions, including regulation of homeostasis, maintenance of mitochondrial quality, and tissue remodeling. However, the variety of names used to describe these mechanisms has hindered scientific clarity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This Consensus Statement categorizes the processes and establishes minimum criteria, providing a standard language that facilitates comparison and advancement of future research. “We hope to homogenize the language of transfer and become a reference in scientific nomenclature within the area in order to improve the replicability of the results at an international level,” explains the expert.