EV-Encapsulated Mitochondrial miRNAs: Enhancing Cardiomyocyte Bioenergetics

Mitochondrial dysfunction lies at the core of numerous cardiac pathologies, yet restoring mitochondrial health remains a therapeutic frontier. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as nature’s delivery nanocarriers, capable of transporting a wide array of biomolecules, including mitochondrial-associated microRNAs (mito-miRs). These miRNAs regulate bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, and apoptotic signaling—making them prime candidates for non-cellular mitochondrial therapy. This review explores the evolving landscape of mitochondrial miRNA encapsulation within EVs, focusing on their potential to restore mitochondrial transcriptional and metabolic programs governing ATP synthesis and redox balance, enhance cellular energy output, and mitigate oxidative stress. We integrate insights from stem cell biology, RNA epigenetics, systems cardiology, and bioengineering, offering a unifying framework for therapeutic applications across ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. An integrative narrative synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature was performed across major biomedical databases, prioritizing mechanistic studies linking EV-mediated mito-miR delivery to cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function. By harmonizing multi-omic signaling, vesicle engineering, and mitochondrial medicine, this review seeks to guide future research toward targeted, customizable, and scalable bioenergetic interventions—unlocking a next-generation path for cardiovascular regeneration.