Mitochondriomics

Mitochondria are essential for energy production, cellular homeostasis, and adaptation. However, mitochondria are uniquely susceptible to external stressors resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and impaired metabolism. Funded by a NIEHS K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, a large portion of my research has characterized mitochondrial biomarkers in children as indicators of cellular stress and energetics. We found that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biomarkers were dynamic throughout childhood and related to socioeconomic stressors during pregnancy and that mtDNA biomarkers were negatively associated with increased adiposity in childhood. We further manganese and anemia as key determinants of mtDNA copy numbers at birth.

In the wet lab, we measure mitochondrial DNA copy number in cells, such as leukocytes in whole blood, as well as in circulating cell-free plasma. We also measure mitochondrial genetic mutations, or heteroplasmies, that can be used as a marker of mitochondrial damage and an indicator of mitochondrial function.

Sample Publications

Kupsco A, Bloomquist TR; Hu H; Reddam AR; Tang D; Goldsmith AG; Rundle AG ; Baccarelli AB; Herbstman JB. Mitochondrial DNA copy number dynamics and associations with the prenatal environment from birth through adolescence in a population of Dominican and African American children. Mitochondrion. 2023 Mar;69:140-146. PMCID: PMC10006332

Reddam A; Bloomquist TR; Covell LT;  Hu H; Oberfield SE; Gallagher D; Goldsmith J, Rundle AG; Baccarelli AA; Herbstman JB; Kupsco A. Inverse Associations of Cord Blood Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number with Childhood Adiposity. Obesity (In Press).  

Kupsco A, Sanchez-Guerra M, Amarasiriwardena C, Brennan KJM, Estrada-Gutierrez G, Svensson K, Schnaas L, Pantic I, Téllez-Rojo MM, Baccarelli AA, Wright RO. Prenatal manganese and cord blood mitochondrial DNA copy number: Effect modification by maternal anemic status. Environ Int. 2019 May;126:484–493. PMCID: 6471611

Reddam A, McLarnan S, Kupsco A. Environmental Chemical Exposures and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Review of Recent Literature. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2022 Dec;9(4):631-649. PMCID: PMC9729331.