Fig. 6. Proposed model in which elamipretide (depicted in magenta—right panel) aggregates CL (depicted in yellow) to preserve cristae ultrastructure in diseased mitochondria.

Preserved cristae integrity was associated with protection of complex V (red) band density. The other electron transport chain complexes are depicted in green, yellow, and purple (middle panel). Therapeutic approaches that target CL may conserve inner mitochondrial membrane integrity, maintain cristae contact sites, sustain intra and intermitochondrial networks, and improve mitochondrial function during disease states.