Oxidative Stress-Derived Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Concise Review

Figure 4

Role of oxidative stress in COPD pathogenesis. Cigarette smoke-induced oxidant burden activates intracellular signaling pathways that result in oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, leading to harmful lung cellular damage. The reduction of pulmonary antioxidant defenses induces changes in mitochondrial dynamics (e.g., elongated mitochondria), impaired clearance of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy), accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in the perinuclear region of lung cells, DNA damage, and subsequent cell senescence during COPD pathogenesis.