Abstract Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the emergence of several neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Hence, mitochondria-targeting delivery strategies are highly significant and critically needed. In this study, we developed a… Click to show full abstract
Abstract Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the emergence of several neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Hence, mitochondria-targeting delivery strategies are highly significant and critically needed. In this study, we developed a small library of peptides simulating the mitochondria-targeting peptide SS-31, a promising tetra-peptide with antioxidant character, and subsequently evaluated the toxicity, antioxidant ability and mitochondrial delivery of nanoparticles. Among the designed peptides, RF-2 ( d -Arg-Dmt-Arg-Phe-NH2) showed controlled toxicity and excellent protection against gentamicin-induced hair cell damage, as compared with SS-31. More importantly, RF-2-modified PLGA nanoparticles demonstrated high colocalization with mitochondria and comparable specific subcellular accumulation, when compared with SS-31. Taken together, the obtained results supported RF-2 as a mitochondria-targeting peptide with high potential as a targeted carrier.
               
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