title: Functionalized nanosystems for targeted mitochondrial delivery.
abstract: Mitochondrial dysfunction including oxidative stress and DNA mutations underlies the pathology of various diseases including Alzheimer's disease and diabetes, necessitating the development of mitochondria targeted therapeutic agents. Nanotechnology offers unique tools and materials to target therapeutic agents to mitochondria. As discussed in this paper, a variety of functionalized nanosystems including polymeric and metallic nanoparticles as well as liposomes are more effective than plain drug and non-functionalized nanosystems in delivering therapeutic agents to mitochondria. Although the field is in its infancy, studies to date suggest the superior therapeutic activity of functionalized nanosystems for treating mitochondrial defects.
authors.affiliation: Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Shelley A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Durazo
authors.forename: Uday B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Kompella
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes