Special issue: Advancing mitochondria as a therapeutic Agent

This article intends to provide an update of the needs in the field working in the artificial mitochondrial transfer/transplant (AMT/T), and an overview of the highlights from the articles in the special issue Advances of Mitochondria as a therapeutic agent . In the last 4 decades, scientists developed innovative therapeutic applications based on the AMT/T, inspired by the natural transfer of mitochondria between cells to repair cellular damage or treat diseases. The clinical application of AMT has become the priority for the field involving the replacement or augmentation of healthy mitochondria in the harmed tissue, especially in the treatment of organ ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, we remark in our article that key questions remain to be answered such which one is the best isolation protocol, tissue or cell source for isolation, and others of great importance to move the field forward.

Automated summary

This article provides an update on the needs and highlights of the artificial mitochondrial transfer/transplant (AMT/T) field, focusing on the clinical application of AMT and the challenges that need to be addressed. Scientists have developed innovative therapeutic applications based on AMT/T, inspired by the natural transfer of mitochondria between cells. However, key questions regarding the best isolation protocol and tissue or cell source for isolation remain to be answered in order to advance the field.