Urinary Mitochondrial DNA Identifies Renal Dysfunction and Mitochondrial Damage in Sepsis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Figure 9

Mitochondrial DNA as a damage-associated molecular pattern. During sepsis (hypoperfusion/inflammation/oxidative stress), the mitochondria causes mitochondrial membrane potential transition and reactive oxygen species generation, which lead to the release of damaged mtDNA into the cytosol. Cytosolic mtDNA can also be secreted into the extracellular space (urine) by necroptosis-mediated programed cell death in renal tubular epithelial cells. ETC: electron transport chain; mtROS: mitochondrial ROS; mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA.