Mechanisms of electroacupuncture-induced neuroprotection in acute stroke rats: the role of astrocyte-mediated mitochondrial transfer

  • Cell Commun Signal. 2025 Jul 1;23(1):316. doi: 10.1186/s12964-025-02287-9.
Yang Guo  #  1  2  3 ,  Tiancong Fu  #  3 ,  Yupei Cheng  #  1  2  3 ,  Yuxuan Li  3 ,  Runchen Zhang  4 ,  Qingtao Ma  1  2 ,  Guanran Wang  1  2 ,  Wenhua Ning  5 ,  Wen Fan  6 ,  Juntao Yang  7 ,  Mengxiong Zhao  1  2 ,  Bohan Liu  1  2 ,  Can Wang  1  2 ,  Liang Gao  1  2 ,  Zhifang Xu  3 ,  Yi Guo  3 ,  Xiaoyu Dai  8  9 ,  Jiangwei Shi  10  11
Affiliations
  • 1. First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300381, China.
  • 2. National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China.
  • 3. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
  • 4. Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, 300120, China.
  • 5. The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
  • 6. Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
  • 7. The TCM Hospital of Longquanyi, Chengdu, 610100, China.
  • 8. First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300381, China. [email protected].
  • 9. National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China. [email protected].
  • 10. First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300381, China. [email protected].
  • 11. National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 40598228 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-025-02287-9
Abstract

Background: Ischemic stroke significantly threatens human health, and current treatments remain limited, necessitating novel strategies. Mitochondrial transfer between neurons represents a crucial endogenous neuroprotective mechanism.

Objective: This study investigated whether electroacupuncture enhances mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes to damaged neurons during acute cerebral ischemia, promoting neuroprotection.

Methods: A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model in vitro were employed. Neurobehavioral assessments, electron microscopy, multiplex immunofluorescence, tissue quantification, western blotting, qRT-PCR, transcriptomics, and proteomics were conducted to evaluate mitochondrial distribution, function, and intercellular transfer under electroacupuncture preconditioning and intervention.

Results: Electroacupuncture significantly improved neurological outcomes and reduced brain tissue damage in MCAO rats. It facilitated mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes to neurons, increased functional mitochondria within neurons, and reduced neuronal Apoptosis. These effects may involve regulation of the CD38-cADPR-Ca2 + signaling pathway and proteins associated with tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), such as F-actin, Miro1, TRAK1, and KIF5b.

Conclusion: Electroacupuncture enhances mitochondrial transfer and function, exerting neuroprotective effects during acute ischemic stroke. This study highlights the potential of electroacupuncture as a therapeutic approach and identifies novel targets for brain protection strategies.

Keywords
Astrocyte; Electroacupuncture; Mitochondrial transfer; Stroke.
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