Hijacking Energy to Fight back against Cancer, the Power of Mighty Mitochondria.

https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/cancer-cells-steal-mitochondria-t-cells

​Recent research has uncovered a surprising way that cancer cells can weaken the body's immune response:​Comprehensive Cancer Information

• Energy Theft by Cancer Cells: Certain cancer cells can "steal" mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells—from nearby T cells (a type of immune cell). They do this through tiny tube-like structures called tunneling nanotubes. ​Wikipedia

  
  

• Impact on the Immune System: By taking mitochondria from T cells, cancer cells boost their own energy and growth. At the same time, the affected T cells become less effective at fighting the cancer. ​Comprehensive Cancer Information

  
  

Understanding this process is crucial because it reveals a new way that cancer evades the immune system. Researchers are hopeful that by studying this mitochondrial theft, they can develop new treatments to block it and strengthen the body's natural defenses against cancer.​

Sources

Do vampiric phenomena reside within the wonders of living organisms?

ABSTRACT FROM LINK ABOVE

Sharing—or stealing—mitochondria to survive

That mitochondria can be swapped between cells is a relatively recent understanding. In the mid-2000s, this phenomenon was thought to be a friendly one, whereby healthy cells in an injured area of tissue could “donate” their mitochondria to other cells to speed the healing process.

But in 2006, researchers looking at cells grown in lab dishes put a more sinister face on mitochondrial transfer. When placed in a stressful, low-oxygen environment, certain cells tended to lose their mitochondria over time. But when subsequently mingled with other, healthy cells, they appeared to steal mitochondria from those cells to survive. How exactly this theft happened remained poorly understood.

Then in 2021, researchers saw this phenomenon happening in real time, with cancer cells. They observed those cancer cells literally sucking the mitochondria out of nearby immune cells in lab dishes with a straw-like structure called a nanotube.

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But does this vampiric phenomenon happen in living organisms? There’s currently no way to visually track mitochondrial transfer in people, Dr. Li explained. 

“So that motivated us to develop a tool to track this mitochondrial transport process, using genomic sequencing data,” he said.

Mitochondria have their own genome, which is distinct from that found in the nucleus of cells. This makes it easy to sort which genes in a given cell come specifically from the mitochondria.

So Dr. Li and his team built a statistical method they called MERCI, which can analyze genomic data—specifically RNA—from single cells and track the passage of mitochondria, based on their RNA, from cell to cell. This let them identify a particular population of cancer cells they called mitochondrial receivers.

A fingerprint of mitochondrial theft

After confirming that MERCI could precisely pick out these receiver cells, the researchers used it to analyze tumor samples from people with skin and esophageal cancer. 

They found that tumor cells identified as mitochondrial receivers by MERCI had increased activity of genes associated with both nanotube formation and energy production—signs that they could produce nanotubes to siphon off mitochondria, then use those mitochondria to produce more energy. Similar patterns of gene expression were seen across receiver cells from the two cancer types.

Next, they expanded their analysis to include tumor samples taken from people with other cancers, including lung, pancreatic, colorectal, and breast cancers. Again, they identified a subset of mitochondrial receiver cells in many tumors that displayed the hallmark gene expression pattern of mitochondrial theft.

The team next winnowed this gene-expression pattern down to a group of 17 specific genes, known as a gene signature, that specifically identified mitochondrial receiver cells. They then tested the signature on more than 10,000 tumor and normal tissue samples, representing 22 distinct types of cancer, collected by The Cancer Genome Atlas. As part of this process, they assigned a “mitochondrial receiver score” for each tumor, based on the activity of each of the 17 genes in the sample.

In most cancer types, tumor samples had much higher mitochondrial receiver scores than samples taken from adjacent normal tissues, they found. Samples with higher mitochondrial receiver scores also showed signs of more aggressive cell division.

In addition, people whose tumors had higher mitochondrial receiver scores tended to not live as long as those with lower scores—a pattern that was repeated across many of the cancer types they studied. 

Gut health plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Recent research has increasingly highlighted the intricate connection between the gut microbiome and neurological function, suggesting that the state of gut health can significantly influence behavior, cognitive function, and emotional regulation in those with autism. The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" because of the extensive network of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract and its ability to communicate with the central nervous system.

Understanding the reasons behind the importance of gut health in autism requires a deep dive into various factors, including the role of diet, the balance of gut bacteria, and the impact of inflammation. Many individuals with autism experience gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, and food sensitivities, which can exacerbate behavioral symptoms and interfere with daily functioning. Research suggests that an imbalance in gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, may contribute to these gastrointestinal problems and, consequently, to the behavioral and cognitive challenges faced by those on the spectrum.

Furthermore, mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles within our cells, play a pivotal role in the body's metabolism and energy production. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that mitochondrial dysfunction may be linked to both autism and various other illnesses and diseases. Mitochondria are essential for maintaining cellular health, and their dysfunction can lead to a cascade of health issues, including oxidative stress and inflammation, which can further complicate the clinical picture for individuals with autism.

To fully understand these complex relationships, it is vital for researchers, healthcare professionals, and families to engage in open discussions about gut health and its implications for autism. By sharing knowledge and insights, we can collectively explore the underlying mechanisms that connect gut health to autism and other health conditions. This collaborative approach can lead to more effective interventions, dietary strategies, and therapeutic options that may improve the quality of life for individuals with autism.

In conclusion,

the dialogue surrounding gut health is essential not only for understanding autism but also for addressing a broader spectrum of health issues. By examining the interconnectedness of gut health, mitochondrial function, and neurological development, we can pave the way for innovative research and treatment strategies that benefit not only those with autism but also others facing similar health challenges.