Non‐invasive and efficient diabetic retinal mitochondrial repair nanoplatform based on engineered endothelial mitochondrial‐derived vesicles with dynamic integrated stress response modulation

Abstract Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is driven by chronic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, yet effective, non‐invasive strategies for mitochondrial quality control (MQC) that can traverse the blood–retinal barrier (BRB) remain limited. Here, we systematically develop and investigate a bioengineered nanoplatform—endothelial mitochondria‐derived vesicles (EMDVs) from retinal microvascular cells. Through optimized functional extraction and membrane potential‐preserving bioengineering, EMDVs retain critical mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate synthesis capabilities. Upon Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) modification, EMDVs exhibit potent antioxidant activity. Kinetic and phenotypic recovery assays demonstrate that EMDVs non‐invasively penetrate the retina and efficiently deliver CoQ10 across the BRB to all retinal layers, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis and remodeling antioxidant defenses. Transcriptomic and mechanistic analyses further reveal that topical administration of EMDVs and CoQ10‐engineered vesicles dynamically modulates the disease‐dependent eIF2α‐ATF4‐CHOP‐integrated stress response axis, facilitating repair and remodeling of the retinal barrier, particularly the microvasculature, in both early‐ and late‐stage DR. Long‐term in vivo safety evaluation confirms no systemic toxicity or local inflammation. This study introduces a mitochondria‐derived vesicle nanoplatform with high BRB permeability and efficient MQC function, highlighting its translational potential as a dynamic, targeted therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial dysfunction‐related degenerative diseases and versatile drug delivery across biological barriers.

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Publication Details

Journal
Interdisciplinary medicine
Published
2026-01-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.70085
Primary Topic
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
Type
article
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article

Non‐invasive and efficient diabetic retinal mitochondrial repair nanoplatform based on engineered endothelial mitochondrial‐derived vesicles with dynamic integrated stress response modulation

Jingjing Gao, Yuyang She, Tianchang Tao, Zhe Lu et al.
Interdisciplinary medicine
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
article

Non‐invasive and efficient diabetic retinal mitochondrial repair nanoplatform based on engineered endothelial mitochondrial‐derived vesicles with dynamic integrated stress response modulation

Jingjing Gao, Yuyang She, Tianchang Tao, Zhe Lu, Jiajie Li, Mohan Li, Xiaodong Sun, Siyu Gui, Peng Wang, Jingwan Su, Song Wang, Jianchao Qiao, Zhihao Huang
article en

Abstract

Abstract Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is driven by chronic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, yet effective, non‐invasive strategies for mitochondrial quality control (MQC) that can traverse the blood–retinal barrier (BRB) remain limited. Here, we systematically develop and investigate a bioengineered nanoplatform—endothelial mitochondria‐derived vesicles (EMDVs) from retinal microvascular cells. Through optimized functional extraction and membrane potential‐preserving bioengineering, EMDVs retain critical mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate synthesis capabilities. Upon Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) modification, EMDVs exhibit potent antioxidant activity. Kinetic and phenotypic recovery assays demonstrate that EMDVs non‐invasively penetrate the retina and efficiently deliver CoQ10 across the BRB to all retinal layers, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis and remodeling antioxidant defenses. Transcriptomic and mechanistic analyses further reveal that topical administration of EMDVs and CoQ10‐engineered vesicles dynamically modulates the disease‐dependent eIF2α‐ATF4‐CHOP‐integrated stress response axis, facilitating repair and remodeling of the retinal barrier, particularly the microvasculature, in both early‐ and late‐stage DR. Long‐term in vivo safety evaluation confirms no systemic toxicity or local inflammation. This study introduces a mitochondria‐derived vesicle nanoplatform with high BRB permeability and efficient MQC function, highlighting its translational potential as a dynamic, targeted therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial dysfunction‐related degenerative diseases and versatile drug delivery across biological barriers.

Interdisciplinary medicine
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN), Anhui Medical University (CN), Wenzhou Medical University (CN), Shanghai Genon Biological Products (China) (CN), Shanghai First People's Hospital (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (CN), Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center (CN), Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (CN), Tianjin Medical University (CN)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 83%
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
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