Donor mitochondria improve metabolism in cultured MELAS endothelial cells
Published in Biology, Drugs development & discovery, Journals, Tools.
Published October 30, 2026.
Healthy donor mitochondria improved metabolism and cellular function in cultured endothelial cells affected by MELAS, a mitochondrial disorder, according to a study published today in Cell Death Discovery.
Researchers observed uptake of the transferred mitochondria and expression of donor mitochondrial genes. Benefits appeared at both early and later measured time points; mutant donor mitochondria and sonicated healthy mitochondria did not produce the same improvements.
Healthy donor mitochondria remained in recipient cells, reducing the proportion of mutant mitochondrial DNA. Transcriptomic findings suggest that improved energy availability may support protein translation, although this proposed explanation needs further testing.
The findings concern laboratory-grown cells. They do not establish a treatment for patients, a cure for MELAS, or an effect on human lifespan.
Source: Phua, Q.H., Pang, J.K.S., Zhang, H. et al., Cell Death Discovery, October 30, 2026. Read the original study.