Extracellular vesicles: opening up a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria are crucial organelles responsible for energy generation in eukaryotic cells. Oxidative stress, calcium disorders, and mitochondrial DNA abnormalities can all cause mitochondrial dysfunction. It is now well documented that mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous illnesses. Hence, it is vital to investigate innovative treatment methods targeting mitochondrial dysfunction. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanovesicles that serve as intercellular messengers and are classified into small EVs (sEVs, < 200 nm) and large EVs (lEVs, > 200 nm) based on their sizes. It is worth noting that certain subtypes of EVs are rich in mitochondrial components (even structurally intact mitochondria) and possess the ability to transfer them or other contents including proteins and nucleic acids to recipient cells to modulate their mitochondrial function. Specifically, EVs can modulate target cell mitochondrial homeostasis as well as mitochondria-controlled apoptosis and ROS generation by delivering relevant substances. In addition, the artificial modification of EVs as delivery carriers for therapeutic goods targeting mitochondria is also a current research hotspot. In this article, we will focus on the ability of EVs to modulate the mitochondrial function of target cells, aiming to offer novel perspectives on therapeutic approaches for diverse conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.