Artificial Mitochondrial Transfer (AMT) for the Management of Age-related Musculoskeletal Degenerative Disorders: An Emerging Avenue for Bone and Cartilage Metabolism Regulation

Musculoskeletal system disorders are among the most common age-related conditions worldwide. All associated with a degeneration of the supporting tissues under pro-inflammatory micro- and macro-environments, the erosion of cartilage and later of bones, are the main hallmarks of these pathologies. Affected chondrocytes, osteoblasts and synoviocytes, that are all critical actors in the bone and cartilage defects exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction that develops immediately following cartilage and bone injury, and leads to tissue residing specific cell death, cartilage degeneration, bone erosion, and ultimately post-traumatic musculoskeletal degeneration. Herein, we would like to introduce a novel concept for bone and cartilage related defects treatment based on artificial transfer of exogeneous functional mitochondria (AMT). Particularly, we believe that because mitochondrial failure critically contributes to degenerative disorders onset and progression, replacing malfunctioning mitochondria with their healthy and functional counterparts can represent a novel, and effective therapeutic solution for the management of bone and cartilage related degenerative diseases. Artificial mitochondrial transfer (AMT) may reverse the failed metabolic status of musculoskeletal tissues cells and reduce bone and cartilage tissues defects by restoring mitochondrial bioenergetics.