A nanocarrier system for mitochondrial delivery targeted to a pancreatic beta cell

Abstract

The destruction of β cells of pancreatic islets results in a reduced level of insulin secretion, thus resulting in the onset of diabetes. Diabetes caused by such a decrease in insulin secretion has been reported to be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Because of this, mitochondrial therapy would be expected to be a useful and productive strategy for the treatment of this disease. We previously reported the development of a MITO-Porter, a liposome-based nanocarrier that permits macromolecular cargos to be delivered into mitochondria via membrane fusion. In this presentation, we present our current findings on the development of a mitochondrial nanocarrier system aimed at the development of a novel method for treating and preventing diabetes. The system includes “a nanocarrier system for nucleic acids targeted to pancreatic β cells”, and “an in vivo system for the delivery of nucleic acids targeting the pancreas”. In this presentation, we propose the use of a “mitochondrial nanocarrier system” as a novel method for the treatment and prevention of diabetes, and discuss the contribution of mitochondrial nanocarrier systems to innovative drug development.