Mitophagy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury: mechanisms and therapeutic implications

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.2095-5782.2026.01.015

Abstract

Abstract:

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a pathological phenomenon characterized by functional impairment and cellular damage that occurs following the restoration of blood flow after an ischemic event. During CIRI, mitophagy contributes to cellular homeostasis by selectively targeting and degrading damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria via autophagic mechanisms, thereby reducing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and attenuating cell death. This review comprehensively summarizes the signaling pathways, pathological mechanisms, and neuroprotective roles of mitophagy in CIRI. Additionally, it examines the dual regulatory functions of mitophagy and highlights the critical importance of its precise modulation. The current challenges in clinical translation of these findings are also discussed, with the aim of facilitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Key words: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, Mitochondria, Mitophagy, Signaling pathways

Hailan Chen, Lizhou Wang. Mitophagy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury: mechanisms and therapeutic implications[J]. Chinese Journal of Interventional Radiology(Electronic Edition), 2026, 14(01): 103-108.

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