[Research progress on mitochondrial copper homeostasis imbalance and fibrosis diseases]

Copper ions serve as co-factors for various enzymes and participate in multiple cellular processes. Mitochondria are essential copper reservoirs within the cell. Previous reviews have extensively summarized the association between mitochondrial copper homeostasis imbalance and hematologic disorders, cardiomyopathies, and skeletal myopathies. However, there is limited information regarding its association with organ fibrosis. This article outlines the role and mechanism of disrupted mitochondrial copper homeostasis in fibrotic diseases, and systematically elaborates copper absorption and transport, as well as the regulation of copper homeostasis within mitochondria. It focuses on the impacts of mitochondrial copper overload and deficiency on fibrotic diseases, and the application of copper chelators as potential anti-fibrotic therapeutic approaches.