Mitochondrial Transplantation as a Therapeutic Strategy for Inherited Mitochondrial Diseases

Mitochondria are essential organelles responsible for cellular energy production and diverse metabolic processes. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a wide range of diseases. Specifically, genetic mitochondrial diseases, arising from mutations in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA, lead to significant mitochondrial deficits, which result in debilitating and often life-threatening symptoms. Conventional treatments frequently fail to address these underlying mitochondrial defects, leaving few therapeutic options. Mitochondrial transplantation (MTx), an emerging therapeutic approach involving the delivery of healthy exogenous mitochondria to target cells, has demonstrated beneficial effects in various mitochondria-mediated diseases in both preclinical and early clinical studies. However, its application to inherited mitochondrial disorders remains largely unexplored and raises important questions about the need for repeated or continuous administration to sustain therapeutic effects. This review systematically examines the potential of MTx for inherited mitochondrial disorders by classifying these diseases by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA origin, critically assessing MTx evidence and mechanisms, and identifying unique translational requirements for chronic inherited disorders. While significant challenges remain, MTx represents a promising approach to directly address mitochondrial dysfunction in these life-threatening conditions with limited therapeutic alternatives.