Such events lead to mtDNA leakage into the cytosol. However, we hypothesize that an incomplete clearance of the dying cells may result in the release of free mtDNA outside the cells. This mechanism has also been suggested by McArthur et al.42 It has also been shown that, in a similar manner, necrosis43–47 re- sults in a massive release of these DNA molecules, as well as other mitochondria-related components, outside the cell. It is difficult to reach any firm conclusion regarding the structure of these DNA molecules in this context, whether they are released in free form or associated with other structures, given that the majority of these studies detect cell-free mtDNA by targeting mitochondrial genes through PCR.