Research progress on the roles of mitochondrial fusion, fission, and mitophagy in burn wound healing
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Mitochondria, known as the "energy factory" of cells, play a critical role in burn wound healing owing to their structural and functional stability. Following burn injury, mitochondrial damage exacerbates inflammatory responses, triggers endogenous apoptotic pathways, and reduces adenosine triphosphate synthesis, thereby delaying tissue repair. The dynamic balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission, together with mitophagy, is a key regulatory mechanism that maintains mitochondrial structural integrity and functional stability. Moderate mitochondrial fission promotes wound healing, whereas excessive fission induces overproduction of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines, which is detrimental to repair. Mitochondrial fusion may confer benefits to wound healing, and mitophagy alleviates apoptosis and oxidative stress, thereby regulating multiple stages of burn wound healing. This review focuses on the maintenance of the mitochondrial fusion-fission balance and mitophagy, elaborates their specific roles in burn wound repair, and discusses the clinical prospects of targeting these mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of post-burn injuries.
Authors: Zehao LI, Weixue JIN, Songxue GUO
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7153146592