Mitochondrial dysfunction in fibrotic diseases: Research progress and MSC-exos therapy

Fibrosis is a common pathological feature of most chronic diseases progressing to the end stage, with its specific pathogenesis still unclear and lacking effective therapeutic approaches. Mitochondria are essential organelles responsible for energy production and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with the onset and progression of fibrotic diseases. In this review, we explore the relationship between mitophagy, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics, mtDNA release, and progression of fibrosis from the perspective of mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, we summarized the latest research advances of mitochondrial dysfunction in lung, liver, kidney and skin fibrosis, and provided an overview of the potential therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of fibrotic diseases by improving mitochondrial function, aiming to deepen the understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases and provide new insights into targeting mitochondria in the treatment of fibrotic diseases.