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Published on: November 30, 2022

Mitophagy in cardiovascular disease: From mechanistic insights to therapeutic horizons

Deyi Guo1, Kun Wang1, Jingwen Zhang1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Gannan Innovation and Translational Medicine Research Institute, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China.

Journal of Cardiology
|July 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mitophagy, a cellular process, is vital for heart health and function in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Understanding mitophagy mechanisms may lead to new treatments for heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major global health concern.
  • The heart's high energy demand necessitates efficient mitochondrial function and metabolic balance.
  • Mitophagy, a selective autophagy, is essential for maintaining cardiac cellular integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of mitophagy in diverse cardiovascular pathologies.
  • To explore the molecular pathways governing mitophagy in the heart.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of modulating mitophagy in CVDs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mitophagy and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Analysis of Parkin-dependent and -independent mitophagy pathways.
  • Examination of natural compounds and small molecules affecting mitophagy.

Main Results:

  • Mitophagy plays a critical role in cardiac aging, hypertrophy, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
  • Both Parkin-dependent and -independent pathways mediate mitophagy.
  • Certain natural compounds and small molecules show promise in protecting the heart by influencing mitophagy.

Conclusions:

  • Mitophagy is a key player in cardiovascular health and disease.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate mitophagy's regulatory networks in various cardiac conditions.
  • Targeted therapies modulating mitophagy hold potential for clinical translation in CVD management.

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseasesMitophagyMolecular mechanismsMyocardial protectionTherapeutic targets

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