Method and applications of peptide-mediated mitochondrial delivery system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method using a cell penetrating peptide (Pep-1) for labeling and delivering mitochondria separated from healthy cells to replace damaged mitochondria. At present, microinjection of mitochondria into cells can only process one cell at a time, and therefore, this technique is limited to embryo related research and relevant applications. The advantages of the said peptide-mediated mitochondrial delivery system (PMD) include less steps with more efficiency, where a number of cells can be treated following one labeling process; the delivery process can be easily controlled, there is no cell toxicity after delivery under appropriate conditions, and delivery efficiency is over 80% depending on different cell types. Mitochondria delivered by the PMD system will move to the original mitochondrial location in the cells and will not be catalyzed in lysosomes; thus, the therapeutic effects can last at least one week.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for introducing a mitochondria into host cells comprising a peptide that has the SEQ ID NO: 1, a normal and functional mitochondria, and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the normal mitochondria in the composition is obtained from normal cells after separation. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the normal and functional mitochondria in the composition is obtained from normal human cells after separation. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide is an amphipathic peptide and contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the peptide contains hydrophobic domain, hydrophilic domain, and spacers. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the excipients are diluents, fillers, binders, disintegrating agents, or lubricants.