bims-curels 2023-04-02 papers

bims-curels

Biomed News

on Leigh syndrome

Issue of 2023‒04‒02
seven papers selected by
Cure Mito Foundation

Mitochondrial transplantation as a promising therapy for mitochondrial diseases.
Mitochondrial Base Editing: Recent Advances towards Therapeutic Opportunities.
[Erratum to: Clinical trials as a central part of patient-centered clinical research].
The Role of Primary Mitochondrial Disorders in Hearing Impairment: An Overview.
Primary mitochondrial disease as a rare cause of unclear breathlessness and distinctive performance degradation - a case report.
Enhancing Equitable Access to Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment around the World: A Review of Evidence, Policies, and Challenges.
Mitochondrial DNA abnormalities and metabolic syndrome.

Acta Pharm Sin B. 2023 Mar;13(3): 1028-1035

Mitochondrial transplantation as a promising therapy for mitochondrial diseases.

Tian-Guang Zhang, Chao-Yu Miao.

  Mitochondrial diseases are a group of inherited or acquired metabolic disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction which may affect almost all the organs in the body and present at any age. However, no satisfactory therapeutic strategies have been available for mitochondrial diseases so far. Mitochondrial transplantation is a burgeoning approach for treatment of mitochondrial diseases by recovery of dysfunctional mitochondria in defective cells using isolated functional mitochondria. Many models of mitochondrial transplantation in cells, animals, and patients have proved effective via various routes of mitochondrial delivery. This review presents different techniques used in mitochondrial isolation and delivery, mechanisms of mitochondrial internalization and consequences of mitochondrial transplantation, along with challenges for clinical application. Despite some unknowns and challenges, mitochondrial transplantation would provide an innovative approach for mitochondrial medicine.

Keywords:  Ethical issue; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial delivery; Mitochondrial disease; Mitochondrial isolation; Mitochondrial storage; Mitochondrial transplantation; Mitochondrial transplantation rejection

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2022.10.008
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 18. pii: 5798. [Epub ahead of print]24(6):

Mitochondrial Base Editing: Recent Advances towards Therapeutic Opportunities.

Bibekananda Kar, Santiago R Castillo, Ankit Sabharwal, Karl J Clark, Stephen C Ekker.

  Mitochondria are critical organelles that form networks within our cells, generate energy dynamically, contribute to diverse cell and organ function, and produce a variety of critical signaling molecules, such as cortisol. This intracellular microbiome can differ between cells, tissues, and organs. Mitochondria can change with disease, age, and in response to the environment. Single nucleotide variants in the circular genomes of human mitochondrial DNA are associated with many different life-threatening diseases. Mitochondrial DNA base editing tools have established novel disease models and represent a new possibility toward personalized gene therapies for the treatment of mtDNA-based disorders.

Keywords:  DdCBE; TALED; base editing; heteroplasmy; mitochondria; mitochondrial DNA

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065798
HNO. 2023 Mar 31.

[Erratum to: Clinical trials as a central part of patient-centered clinical research].

Karsten Gavenis, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Jan Löhler, Ralf Tostmann, Thomas Asendorf.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-023-01289-8
Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Mar 19. pii: 608. [Epub ahead of print]59(3):

The Role of Primary Mitochondrial Disorders in Hearing Impairment: An Overview.

Virginia Fancello, Giuseppe Fancello, Silvia Palma, Daniele Monzani, Elisabetta Genovese, Chiara Bianchini, Andrea Ciorba.

  Background. Defects of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) involved in the function of the mitochondrial electron transport chain can result in primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs). Various features can influence the phenotypes of different PMDs, with relevant consequences on clinical presentation, including the presence of hearing impairment. This paper aims to describe the hearing loss related to different PMDs, and when possible, their phenotype. Methods. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline until December 2022. A total of 485 papers were identified, and based on specified criteria, 7 were included in this study. Results. A total of 759 patients affected by PMDs and hearing loss were included. The age of patients ranged from 2 days to 78 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. The percentage of subjects affected by hearing loss was 40.8%, (310/759), and in most cases, hearing impairment was described as sensorineural, bilateral, symmetrical, and progressive, with different presentations depending on age and syndrome severity. Conclusions. PMDs are challenging conditions with different clinical phenotypes. Hearing loss, especially when bilateral and progressive, may represent a red flag; its association with other systemic disorders (particularly neuromuscular, ocular, and endocrine) should alert clinicians, and confirmation via genetic testing is mandatory nowadays.

Keywords:  genetics; metabolic disorders; mitochondrial diseases; sensorineural hearing loss

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59030608
BMC Pulm Med. 2023 Mar 29. 23(1): 104

Primary mitochondrial disease as a rare cause of unclear breathlessness and distinctive performance degradation - a case report.

Ralf Ewert, Mohamed A Elhadad, Dirk Habedank, Alexander Heine, Beate Stubbe.

  BACKGROUND: Primary muscular disorders (metabolic myopathies, including mitochondrial disorders) are a rare cause of dyspnea. We report a case of dyspnea caused by a mitochondrial disorder with a pattern of clinical findings that can be classified in the known pathologies of mitochondrial deletion syndrome.CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented to us at 29 years of age, having had tachycardia, dyspnea, and functional impairment since childhood. She had been diagnosed with bronchial asthma and mild left ventricular hypertrophy and treated accordingly, but her symptoms had worsened. After more than 20 years of progressive physical and social limitations was a mitochondrial disease suspected in the exercise testing. We performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) with right heart catheterization showed typical signs of mitochondrial myopathy. Genetic testing confirmed the presence of a ~ 13 kb deletion in mitochondrial DNA from the muscle. The patient was treated with dietary supplements for 1 year. In the course of time, the patient gave birth to a healthy child, which is developing normally.
CONCLUSION: CPET and lung function data over 5 years demonstrated stable disease. We conclude that CPET and lung function analysis should be used consistently to evaluate the cause of dyspnea and for long-term observation.

Keywords:  Case report; Dyspnea; Invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing; Lactate; Metabolic myopathy; Mitochondriopathy

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-023-02391-x
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 08. pii: 4732. [Epub ahead of print]20(6):

Enhancing Equitable Access to Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment around the World: A Review of Evidence, Policies, and Challenges.

Takeya Adachi, Ayman W El-Hattab, Ritu Jain, Katya A Nogales Crespo, Camila I Quirland Lazo, Maurizio Scarpa, Marshall Summar, Duangrurdee Wattanasirichaigoon.

  This document provides a comprehensive summary of evidence on the current situation of rare diseases (RDs) globally and regionally, including conditions, practices, policies, and regulations, as well as the challenges and barriers faced by RD patients, their families, and caregivers. The document builds on a review of academic literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from across the globe. Panelists were selected based on their academic merit, expertise, and knowledge regarding the RD environment. The document is divided into five main sections: (1) methodology and objective; (2) background and context; (3) overview of the current situation and key challenges related to RDs covering six dimensions: burden of disease, patient journey, social impact, disease management, RD-related policies, and research and development; (4) recommendations; and (5) conclusions. The recommendations are derived from the discussion undertaken by the experts on the findings of this review and provide a set of actionable solutions to the challenges and barriers to improving access to RD diagnosis and treatment around the world. The recommendations can support critical decision-making, guiding efforts by a broad range of RDs stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, manufacturers, researchers, and patient advocacy groups.

Keywords:  burden of disease; disease management; health equity; health policies; patient journey; rare diseases; social impact

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064732
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023 ;11 1153174

Mitochondrial DNA abnormalities and metabolic syndrome.

Xudong Ding, Tingting Fang, Xiaoqi Pang, Xueru Pan, Aiying Tong, Ziyi Lin, Shikuan Zheng, Ningning Zheng.

  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex pathological condition that involves disrupted carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism in the human body, and is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. While the exact pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome is not yet fully understood, there is increasing evidence linking mitochondrial dysfunction, which is closely related to the mitochondrial genome and mitochondrial dynamics, to the development of this condition. Recent advancements in genetic sequencing technologies have allowed for more accurate detection of mtDNA mutations and other mitochondrial abnormalities, leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention in patients with metabolic syndrome. Additionally, the identification of specific mechanisms by which reduced mtDNA copy number and gene mutations, as well as abnormalities in mtDNA-encoded proteins and mitochondrial dynamics, contribute to metabolic syndrome may promote the development of novel therapeutic targets and interventions, such as the restoration of mitochondrial function through the targeting of specific mitochondrial defects. Additionally, advancements in genetic sequencing technologies may allow for more accurate detection of mtDNA mutations and other mitochondrial abnormalities, leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention in patients with MetS. Therefore, strategies to promote the restoration of mitochondrial function by addressing these defects may offer new options for treating MetS. This review provides an overview of the research progress and significance of mitochondrial genome and mitochondrial dynamics in MetS.

Keywords:  metabolic syndrome; mitochondrial copy number; mitochondrial dynamics; mitochondrial gene mutations; mitochondrial proteases; mitochondrial-encoded proteins

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2023.1153174