The mitochondrial nexus: Dysfunction, inhibition, and therapeutic frontiers in lung disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a unifying feature in chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

• Mitochondria are essential for energy production and play key roles in cellular signaling and programmed cell death.
• Impaired mitochondrial function is characterized by decreased energy production, increased production of harmful molecules, and poor cellular maintenance.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with increased severity of acute lung conditions such as acute lung injury (ALI) and COVID-19.
• This dysfunction may also drive the symptoms and progression of Long COVID.
• Emerging therapeutic strategies include antioxidants, metabolic modulators, and mitochondrial transplantation, each facing specific challenges.

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