Research progress on the role of mitophagy in pulmonary arterial hypertension

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2025.12.011

Abstract

Abstract:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex cardiopulmonary disease characterized by persistent constriction and remodeling of the pulmonary arterioles, leading to sustained elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular remodeling, and ultimately right heart failure. Although current clinical therapies mainly alleviate symptoms by targeting the imbalance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation, the overall prognosis remains poor and the mortality rate continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Mitochondria serve as the primary energy source for cells, generating ATP through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, this process generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage proteins, lipids, and DNA, thereby exacerbating cellular dysfunction. As a crucial mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis, mitophagy facilitates the recognition and clearance of damaged mitochondria, thereby ensuring balanced cellular energy metabolism. Recent studies have revealed a dual-faceted role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis and progression of PAH. On the one hand, mitophagy may be moderately activated during the early stages of PAH to clear damaged mitochondria and suppress abnormal cell proliferation; on the other hand, with PAH progression, excessive mitophagy activation occurs alongside abnormal proliferation of various cell types, leading to pulmonary vascular and right ventricular remodeling. This paper reviews recent literature to elucidate the role of mitophagy in pulmonary vascular and right ventricular remodeling at different stages of PAH, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for developing more effective therapeutic interventions for PAH.

Key words: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mitophagy, vascular remodeling, right ventricular remodeling

CLC Number:

R543.2

FAN Bingbin, HE Yuhu. Research progress on the role of mitophagy in pulmonary arterial hypertension[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2025, 45(12): 1654-1661.

Figures/Tables 2

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References 50

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