Mitochondria Transplantation Promotes Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing After Chemical Burn

The integrity of the corneal epithelium is essential in maintaining normal corneal function. Conditions disrupting the corneal epithelial layer range from chemical burns to dry eye disease and may result in impairment of both corneal transparency and sensation. Mitochondria have been shown to play a vital role in the complex process of wound healing by influencing cell migration, proliferation and metabolites levels. Here we investigated whether transplantation of isolated mitochondria to corneal epithelial cells can promote wound healing and repair of corneal epithelium.

Pre-clinical study.

Primery human corneal epithelial cells were isolated from donor corneas and the effect of mitochondria transplantation was investigated using wound healing model. A mouse model of chemical burn was used to study the effect of mitochondria transplantation in vivo.

The transplantation of isolated mitochondria significantly stimulated the proliferation and migration of primary human corneal epithelial cells, thereby accelerating the wound healing process. In the in vivo mouse model of corneal alkali injury, mice receiving mitochondria demonstrated a twofold faster recovery compared to control mice. This enhanced recovery was marked by improved repair, with corneas treated with mitochondria displaying re-epithelization to a multi-layer appearance. In contrast, control mice exhibited thinning and complete loss of the epithelium. Mitochondria transplantation also effectively prevented the thickening and disorganization of corneal stromal lamella, restoring normal corneal dehydration.

This study presents compelling evidence supporting the potential of mitochondria transplantation as an effective treatment strategy for promoting the rapid repair of corneal epithelial defects.