Figure 9.

Schematic diagram of the mechanism of partial mitochondrial transfer from RECs to ρ⁰ cells. (A) TNTs provide one of the common mitochondrial transfer routes, generally connecting the cytoplasm of cells via F-actin, and RECs can donate mitochondria to mitochondrial-deficient (ρ⁰) cells via this intercellular linkage structure. (B) Cx43 gap junction channels (GJCs) are also involved in the transcellular transfer of mitochondria. RECs can donate mitochondria to ρ⁰ cells via GJCs. (C) Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transfer mitochondria to recipient cells via endocytosis, where REC-derived exosomes have a positive regulatory role in the mitochondrial transfer process. The figure was prepared using Figdraw.