Story perspectives

Study Links mtDNA Instability to Aging Inflammation

9/27/2025

39 5

Summary

Story summary

A Nature study finds mtDNA instability drives inflammation via ribonucleotide incorporation.
In aged mice, elevated ribonucleotide-to-deoxyribonucleotide ratios cause mtDNA damage and release into the cytosol.
Cytosolic mtDNA activates inflammatory pathways linked to aging, with ribonucleotide reductase downregulation in senescent cells worsening nucleotide balance.
Deoxyribonucleoside supplementation in senescent cells reduces mtDNA accumulation and inflammatory markers, suggesting therapies that target nucleotide metabolism.

1 of 1

Story summary

A Nature study finds mtDNA instability drives inflammation via ribonucleotide incorporation.
In aged mice, elevated ribonucleotide-to-deoxyribonucleotide ratios cause mtDNA damage and release into the cytosol.
Cytosolic mtDNA activates inflammatory pathways linked to aging, with ribonucleotide reductase downregulation in senescent cells worsening nucleotide balance.
Deoxyribonucleoside supplementation in senescent cells reduces mtDNA accumulation and inflammatory markers, suggesting therapies that target nucleotide metabolism.