Advances in understanding mitophagy's role in lung injury

Mitophagy has emerged as a key regulator in lung injury, presenting new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Lung injury, often caused by infections, trauma, or inhalation of toxic gases, disrupts lung tissue integrity and function, frequently leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Mitophagy serves a dual purpose: it removes damaged mitochondria, reducing oxidative stress and preventing cell death, thereby offering protection in acute lung injury. However, excessive mitophagy can deplete mitochondria, impair energy metabolism, and aggravate tissue damage. Throughout the progression of lung injury, mitophagy finely tunes inflammation, immune responses, and cell survival, helping to modulate cytokine storms and delay fibrosis. Additionally, it influences metabolic reprogramming and intercellular communication, affecting critical cell types such as alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts, which are essential for tissue repair and regeneration. Although the precise molecular mechanisms remain under investigation, mitophagy is increasingly recognized as a promising therapeutic target for lung injury and fibrosis. The future challenge lies in achieving a precise balance in the regulation of mitophagy to maximize its protective effects while minimizing potential harm, thereby opening new pathways for innovative therapeutic strategies.