MSC-mediated mitochondrial transfer restores mitochondrial DNA and function in neural progenitor cells of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.
Sci China Life Sci
; 2024 Aug 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39134891
ABSTRACT
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a debilitating mitochondrial disease associated with mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Unfortunately, the available treatment options for LHON patients are limited due to challenges in mitochondrial replacement. In our study, we reprogramming LHON urine cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiating them into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons for disease modeling. Our research revealed that LHON neurons exhibited significantly higher levels of mtDNA mutations and reduced mitochondrial function, confirming the disease phenotype. However, through co-culturing LHON iPSC-derived NPCs with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), we observed a remarkable rescue of mutant mtDNA and a significant improvement in mitochondrial metabolic function in LHON neurons. These findings suggest that co-culturing with MSCs can enhance mitochondrial function in LHON NPCs, even after their differentiation into neurons. This discovery holds promise as a potential therapeutic strategy for LHON patients.
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1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Sci China Life Sci
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
CIENCIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
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