Targeting mitochondrial autophagy for anti-aging

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the core drivers of aging. It is manifested by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, imbalanced energy metabolism, and abnormal biosynthesis. Mitochondrial autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis by selectively removing damaged mitochondria through mechanisms including the ubiquitin-dependent pathway (PINK1/Parkin pathway) and the ubiquitin-independent pathway (mediated by receptors such as BNIP3/FUNDC1). During aging, the decrease in mitochondrial autophagy efficiency leads to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria, forming a cycle of mitochondrial damage-ROS-aging damage and aggravating aging-related diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular pathologies. The targeted regulation of mitochondrial autophagy (drug modulation and exercise intervention) can restore mitochondrial function and slow aging. However, autophagy has a double-edged sword effect; moderate activation is anti-aging, but excessive activation or dysfunction accelerates the pathological process. Therefore, targeting mitochondrial autophagy may be an effective anti-aging technique; however, future focus should be on the tissue-specific regulatory threshold and the dynamic balance mechanism to achieve precise intervention.