Mitochondrial transplantation for the treatment of cardiac and noncardiac diseases: mechanisms, prospective, and challenges

Abstract Mitochondrial transplantation (MT) is a promising therapeutic strategy that involves introducing healthy mitochondria into damaged tissues to restore cellular function. This approach has shown promise in treating cardiac diseases, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, and heart failure, where mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role. Transplanting healthy mitochondria into affected cardiac tissue has resulted in improved cardiac function, reduced infract size, and enhanced cell survival in preclinical studies. Beyond cardiac applications, MT is also being explored for its potential to address various noncardiac diseases, including stroke, infertility, and genetic mitochondrial disorders. Ongoing research focused on refining techniques for mitochondrial isolation, preservation, and targeted delivery is bolstering the prospects of MT as a clinical therapy. As the scientific community gains a deeper understanding of mitochondrial dynamics and pathology, the development of MT as a clinical therapy holds significant promise. This review provides an overview of recent research on MT and discusses the methodologies involved, including sources, isolation, delivery, internalization, and distribution of mitochondria. Additionally, it explores the effects of MT and potential mechanisms in cardiac diseases, as well as non-cardiac diseases. Future prospects for MT are also discussed.