Mitochondria in Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Key to Fate Determination and Therapeutic Potential

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become popular tool cells in the field of transformation and regenerative medicine due to their function of cell rescue and cell replacement. The dynamically changing mitochondria serve as an energy metabolism factory and signal transduction platform, adapting to different cell states and maintaining normal cell activities. Therefore, a clear understanding of the regulatory mechanism of mitochondria in MSCs is profit for more efficient clinical transformation of stem cells. This review highlights the cutting-edge knowledge regarding mitochondrial biology from the following aspects: mitochondrial morphological dynamics, energy metabolism and signal transduction. The manuscript mainly focuses on mitochondrial mechanistic insights in the whole life course of MSCs, as well as the potential roles played by mitochondria in MSCs treatment of transplantation, for seeking pivotal targets of stem cell fate regulation and stem cell therapy.