Leukocyte Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Type 1 Diabetes

Knowledge of mitochondria bioenergetics and network behaviour is rapidly expanding. Mitochondrial ␣␣m can now be investigated not only in cultured cells but also in clinical settings using fluorescent probes and living whole blood cells. The phenomenon of heterogeneity in mitochondrial ␣␣m has been observed in several cell types. Mitochondrial depolarisation/hyperpolarisation should represent a molecular switch in T cell signalling pathways and could have a role in autoimmunity. The manuscript discusses the problematic interpretation of measured changes in peripheral leukocyte ␣␣m in human health disorders, with special attention to diabetes, taken into account that mitochondrial homeostasis reflects an intricate balance of many (not well known) factors