Bone-targeted mitochondrial delivery via magnetic-temperature responsive artificial cells for repairing age-related fractures.

Abstract

Age-related bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and degenerative joint disorders, pose a significant global health challenge, leading to over 9 million fractures annually, which not only diminishes quality of life but also imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden on healthcare systems. A major clinical obstacle in the aging population is the significantly reduced regenerative capacity of bone, often resulting in delayed fracture healing or nonunion fractures. Mitochondria, as the central regulators of cellular energy metabolism, are essential for determining cell fate and supporting tissue regeneration. However, age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction critically impairs these processes. While transplanting healthy mitochondria is a promising therapeutic strategy, its efficacy is severely limited by poor targeting efficiency and inherent fragility of mitochondria in circulation. Developing an efficient mitochondrial transplantation for elderly fractures is of great importance.