About this Research Topic

Background

Mitochondria are key organelles that regulate cellular bioenergetics through ATP production, thus, modulating the essential metabolic functions required for cellular survival. Although oxidative phosphorylation is their main function, mitochondria are also implicated in important and multifaceted pathways, such as calcium regulation, ion homeostasis, ROS production, apoptosis, immune signaling or metabolic precursor synthesis. Hence, mitochondrial damage or dysfunction impacting the respiratory chain or oxidative stress can contribute to a wide array of diseases ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, cancer development, ageing, as well as autoimmune diseases.

In this Research Topic, we will describe current advances in mitochondrial biology and novel pharmaceutical strategies aimed at targeting mitochondria such as nanoparticle-based modalities. We will examine the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and perturbations in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer as well as the advances in translational therapeutic approaches aimed at improving mitochondrial function.

We welcome articles in the form of brief research reports, editorials, general commentaries, hypotheses and theories, methods, mini reviews, opinions, original research, perspectives and reviews.

Keywords: mitochondria-targeting, drug development, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, mitochondrial dysfunction, nanoparticles, translational pharmacology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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