ABSTRACT
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of inherited or acquired metabolic disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction which may affect almost all the organs in the body and present at any age. However, no satisfactory therapeutic strategies have been available for mitochondrial diseases so far. Mitochondrial transplantation is a burgeoning approach for treatment of mitochondrial diseases by recovery of dysfunctional mitochondria in defective cells using isolated functional mitochondria. Many models of mitochondrial transplantation in cells, animals, and patients have proved effective via various routes of mitochondrial delivery. This review presents different techniques used in mitochondrial isolation and delivery, mechanisms of mitochondrial internalization and consequences of mitochondrial transplantation, along with challenges for clinical application. Despite some unknowns and challenges, mitochondrial transplantation would provide an innovative approach for mitochondrial medicine.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and has become a com-mon chronic disease worldwide.Mitochondria play key roles in energy production,signal transduction and apoptosis.Mi-tochondrial dysfunction is an important factor that promotes the development of diabetes and its complications.Maintaining mitochondrial function is expected to have a therapeutic effect on diabetes and its complications.Mitochondria can be transferred between cells,replacing dysfunctional mitochondria with exogenous healthy mitochondria and thereby reversing cell damage.Mitochondrial transfer through actin-based tunnel nanotubes,extracellular vesicles,connexins,cell fusion and extrusion has been shown to restore the bioenergetics of damaged mammalian cells.In addition,mitochondrial trans-plantation,which is an innovative strategy to treat mitochondrial diseases by increasing and replacing mitochondria,has at-tracted increasing attention.This article focuses on improving mitochondrial function in damaged cells as an entry point for the treatment of diabetes and its complications,focusing on the role of mitochondrial transfer among cells in diabetes and its complications.