On September 17, 2024, a new study led by Dr. Akhilesh K. Gaharwar published in Nature unveiled a promising discovery: tiny nanoparticles made from molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) can enhance the function of mitochondria, the parts of our cells that generate energy. This breakthrough could offer hope for treating diseases related to energy production, such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
What Are Mitochondria and Why Are They Important?
Mitochondria are often called the “powerhouses” of our cells because they create the energy our bodies need to function. They do this by producing a molecule called ATP, which fuels many cellular activities. When mitochondria stop working properly, it can lead to a wide range of serious health problems.
Currently, there are limited treatments that target mitochondria directly, and those that do often have poor results or cause unwanted side effects. This is where the new study comes in.
How Do MoS2 Nanoparticles Help?
The researchers behind the study turned their attention to nanoparticles made from MoS2, a material that comes with some well-defined surface chemistry properties. The researchers designed these nanoparticles with “atomic vacancies”, tiny gaps or defects in their structure. These vacancies are important because they generate additional active sites on the surface of nanoparticles, which help them to perform better inside the cells.
When human stem cells were treated with these specially designed nanoparticles, the researchers found that the cells started producing more mitochondria — a process called mitochondrial biogenesis. This was largely due to the activation of a pathway in the cells called SIRT1/PGC-1α, which is responsible for stimulating the growth of new mitochondria.
More Energy, Less Damage
In addition to promoting the growth of new mitochondria, the nanoparticles also improved the cells’ ability to produce energy. The treated cells produced more ATP, which increased their overall energy capacity.
More remarkably, the nanoparticles lowered concentrations of potentially harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules. Excessive ROS can be harmful to cells, reducing their levels helps to protect the cell from stress and early ageing.
Why This Matters
This study sheds new light on an innovative approach to be able to target mitochondria and enhance their capacity. Should these preliminary findings be replicated in more research, MoS2 nanoparticles may provide an effective approach to treating mitochondrial diseases. This method could open more reliable and effective treatment opportunities for hundreds of millions of people with energy-related diseases.