Alpha-1-microglobulin for use in the treatment of mitochondria-related diseases

1. A method for treating a mitochondria disease or disorder comprising administering alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) to a subject in need thereof,

wherein the A1M is a peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 and comprises residues corresponding to Y22, C34, K92, K118, K130, Y132, L180, I181, P182, and R183 of SEQ ID NO:1; and (b) an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and comprises residues corresponding to Y40, C52, K110, K136, K148, Y150, L198, I199, P200, and R201 of SEQ ID NO:2;

wherein the A1M is the only therapeutic agent administered to the subject to treat the mitochondria disease or disorder; and

wherein the mitochondria disease or disorder is a Respiratory Chain Deficiency involving Complex I defects or Respiratory Chain Disorder involving Complex I defects.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is a child or young adult.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is for treating one or more Respiratory Chain Deficiency-associated conditions or Respiratory Chain Disorders involving Complex I defects selected from the group consisting of Alpers disease (Progressive Infantile Poliodystrophy), Friedreich's ataxia, KSS, Leigh Disease or Syndrome, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy Lactic Acidosis and Strokelike Episodes (MELAS), Myoclonic Epilepsy and Ragged-Red Fiber Disease (MERRF), and Neuropathy, Ataxia, and Retinitis Pigmentosa (NARP).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is a woman.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is for treating damage or dysfunction of retina or ocular diseases associated with mitochondrial defect(s) or dysfunction(s).

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is for treating Friedreich's ataxia.

8. A method for reducing the risk of one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of a mitochondrial defect, a mitochondria disease or disorder, a drug-induced mitochondria side-effect or an environmentally induced mitochondria effect, comprising administering alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) to a subject in need thereof,

wherein the A1M is a peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 and comprises residues corresponding to Y22, C34, K92, K118, K130, Y132, L180, I181, P182, and R183 of SEQ ID NO:1; and (b) an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and comprises residues corresponding to Y40, C52, K110, K136, K148, Y150, L198, I199, P200, and R201 of SEQ ID NO:2;

wherein the A1M is the only therapeutic agent administered to the subject; and

wherein the subject is suffering from a Respiratory Chain Deficiency involving Complex I defects or Respiratory Chain Disorder involving Complex I defects.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the subject is a human.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method is for reducing the risk of one or more Respiratory Chain Deficiency-associated conditions or Respiratory Chain Disorders involving Complex I defects selected from Alpers disease (Progressive Infantile Poliodystrophy), Friedreich's ataxia, KSS, Leigh Disease or Syndrome, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy Lactic Acidosis and Strokelike Episodes (MELAS), Myoclonic Epilepsy and Ragged-Red Fiber Disease (MERRF), and Neuropathy, Ataxia, and Retinitis Pigmentosa (NARP).

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method is for reducing the risk of Friedreich's ataxia.

12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method is for treating damage or dysfunction of retina or ocular diseases associated with mitochondrial defect(s) or dysfunction(s).