Announcement of Oral Presentations at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Mitochondrial Society (J-mit)
Announcement of Oral Presentations at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Mitochondrial Society (J-mit)
Luca Science Inc., a biotechnology company developing mitochondria as a novel modality, and its research collaborators are pleased to announce their participation in the Morning Session of the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Mitochondrial Society (J-mit), held from Thursday, November 21, to Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Juntendo University Hongo Campus.
1. "MRC-Q: Pioneering a New Therapeutic Approach with the World's First Mitochondria-Containing Formulation"
Luca Science has developed "MRC-Q," the world’s first mitochondria-containing formulation, aimed at innovative treatments for mitochondrial diseases. This groundbreaking formulation contains mitochondria and other intracellular organelles isolated from human cells using proprietary technology, with the goal of improving energy metabolism.
Studies using a Leigh syndrome mouse model demonstrated that MRC-Q contributed to the recovery of neurological function, extension of lifespan, and improvement of energy efficiency. Additionally, in vitro experiments using patient-derived cells showed increased ATP production and reduced oxidative stress-induced cell damage.
MRC-Q holds the potential to provide new hope for patients with mitochondrial diseases for whom effective treatments have been limited.
2. "Elucidating Changes in Intracellular Glucose and Fatty Acid Metabolism Induced by Isolated Mitochondria"
Luca Science has demonstrated that its proprietary mitochondria complex, MRC-Q, significantly impacts intracellular energy metabolism. MRC-Q is an innovative formulation retaining intact outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, capable of producing ATP and exerting antioxidant effects.
Research using human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) revealed that MRC-Q increased oxygen consumption rates (OCR) by up to 18% and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) by up to 28%. Under glucose-deprived conditions, MRC-Q still enhanced OCR and promoted fatty acid β-oxidation by up to 154%.
These findings suggest that MRC-Q activates glycolysis and β-oxidation upon cellular uptake, boosting intracellular energy production. This study highlights the broad potential applications of MRC-Q.
3. "Therapeutic Benefits of Intercellular Mitochondrial Transfer in Improving Disease Severity and Survival in a Leigh Syndrome Mouse Model"
Collaborative research between Luca Science and domestic and international institutions has demonstrated the efficacy of a novel therapeutic approach for Leigh syndrome (LS) using a mouse model (Ndufs4 KO mice).
The study showed that bone marrow transplantation from wild-type mice significantly extended survival and improved neurological symptoms in LS model mice. Furthermore, intercellular mitochondrial transfer (IMT), in which healthy mitochondria were transported to diseased cells via donor bone marrow cells, was confirmed as a possible mechanism. Isolated mitochondria from liver tissue or HeLa cells (MRC-Q) also improved neurological symptoms and extended survival in the model mice.
This research highlights IMT-based therapies as a promising approach for mitochondrial diseases, including Leigh syndrome, and supports the potential for future clinical trials.