Mitochondrial transplantation is an emerging technique aimed at restoring cellular energy production in diseases marked by mitochondrial dysfunction. However, how transplanted mitochondria interact with recipient cells has remained unclear. In a recent study, researchers from Japan investigated how isolated mitochondria are taken up by cells and proved they remain functional after uptake. Their findings help lay the groundwork for future mitochondrial therapies in regenerative medicine. 

Cancer cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) can travel from distant tumors through the bloodstream and kidneys and be excreted into urine, as reported by researchers at Science Tokyo. Using sophisticated molecular tagging systems in mouse models of brain, lung, and pancreatic cancer, the researchers directly traced sEVs from tumors to urine. They also revealed that the kidney’s glomerular cells actively transport sEVs across the filtration barrier, supporting their use in emerging urine-based cancer diagnostics.

Cerebral palsy is a condition usually caused by brain damage before or during birth, resulting in impaired posture and movement. A Japanese research team has demonstrated in rat experiments that stem cells from human primary tooth pulp may help treat chronic-phase cerebral palsy. This is the first animal study to show that stem cell treatment works even after motor deficits have already appeared.