Mitophagy in Macrophages: A Metabolic Checkpoint in Inflammation-to-Repair Transition in Atherosclerosis - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #macrophages
- #atherosclerosis
- #mitophagy
- Mitophagy in macrophages acts as a metabolic checkpoint regulating the transition from inflammation to repair in atherosclerosis.
- Damaged mitochondria release reactive oxygen species and DNA, activating innate immune pathways like NLRP3 inflammasome and cGAS-STING, which amplify inflammation.
- Mitophagy clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria suppresses immune activation, preserves oxidative metabolism, and supports plaque stability through efferocytosis and extracellular matrix deposition.
- Impairment of mitophagy leads to necrotic core expansion and increased plaque vulnerability.
- Therapeutic modulation of mitophagy is possible via small molecules (e.g., metformin, resveratrol), natural products, gene-based approaches, nanoparticles, and lifestyle interventions.