Molecular mechanisms underlying FCCP-induced mitophagy in human airway smooth muscle cells
Abstract
The study establishes the presence of a robust mitophagic response to acute mitochondrial depolarization in hASM cells mediated through the canonical PINK1-Parkin pathway. By integrating quantitative mitochondrial labeling and biochemical analyses, we demonstrate increased mitochondrial damage and remodeling, accompanied by mitochondrial PINK1 accumulation and Parkin activation, resulting in ubiquitin-dependent signaling and lysosomal engulfment. These findings identify mitophagy as a critical adaptive mechanism for maintaining mitochondrial quality control in airway smooth muscle cells during metabolic stress.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Volume
- 331
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- L233–L251
- Publication date
- 23 July 2026
- Language
- EN