Résumé
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), defined as membrane-bound vesicles released by most cell types, contain material from various cellular compartments, including mitochondria, named mitochondrial EVs (mito-EVs). Mito-EVs are comprised of mitochondria, mtDNA, microRNA, and proteins that possess biological functions such as mitochondrial quality control, mitochondrial degradation, inflammation, and metabolic modulation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of mito-EV mechanisms of transferring mitochondria between cells and their role in obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Mito-EVs have been shown to induce alterations in the mitochondrial function of the receptor cells by releasing their contents into the target cells, thereby modulating the cellular fate via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α, AMP-activated protein kinase, or Fas/Fas ligand pathways. We also highlight the potential therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiometabolic diseases by mitochondrial transfer.