MitoTracker transfers from astrocytes to neurons independently of mitochondria

Cell Reports Methods 2026 Open access

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Authors: Katriona L. Hole, Rosalind Norkett, Emma Russell, Patrick Cottilli, Molly Strom, Jack H. Howden, Nicola J. Corbett, Janet Brownlees, Michael J. Devine
DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2026.101338
Cited by: 5
References: 35

Abstract

The neuroprotective transfer of mitochondria from astrocytes to neurons has been primarily investigated by labeling astrocytic mitochondria with the dye MitoTracker. Here, we labeled astrocytic mitochondria with both a genetically encoded fluorophore (GFP) and MitoTracker dye and then imaged neurons immediately after co-culture with astrocytes or astrocyte-conditioned media (ACM). We report that MitoTracker transfers to neurons from both astrocytes and ACM, independently of mitochondrial transfer. Our observations provide an essential caveat to the use of this reagent and suggest that the investigation of astrocyte-neuron mitochondrial transfer, and other systems in which contact-independent transfer has been reported, requires the use of alternative labeling techniques.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Mitochondrial Function and Pathology Cell death mechanisms and regulation Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Cell Reports Methods
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
6
Issue
3
Pages
101338–101338
Publication date
1 March 2026
Language
EN