Mitochondria-derived vesicles: new players in the game of neurodegeneration

Mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) are extracellular vesicles involved in mitochondrial quality control, selectively removing damaged components and interacting with intracellular organelles or the extracellular environment. Their formation increases under stress conditions, acting as a protective mechanism. Recent evidence suggests a role for MDVs in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Dysfunctional MDV pathways contribute to neuroinflammation by transporting mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (mtDAMPs), including oxidized mitochondrial DNA, which activate inflammatory responses. Key proteins linked to Parkinson’s, such as PINK1, Parkin, and Vps35, further implicate MDVs in ND progression. While indirect evidence supports their involvement, direct contributions of MDVs to NDs remain unclear. Investigating their composition and function in patient-derived samples could provide diagnostic and therapeutic insights. Targeting MDVs may represent a promising strategy for ND treatment, warranting further research into their mechanistic role in neurodegeneration.