Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (23): 5982-5991.doi: 10.12307/2026.366

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Mitophagy regulates osteoclasts: a new perspective for osteoporosis treatment

Gao Jiabin1, Li Tianqi1, Xu Kun1, Zhu Hanmin1, Zhou Xi2, Li Wei1   

  1. 1Medicine College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312099, Zhejiang Province, China; 2Basic Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Sciences, Xiangyang 441053, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2025-06-30 Accepted:2025-09-01 Online:2026-08-18 Published:2025-12-31
  • Contact: Li Wei, PhD, Associate professor, Medicine College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312099, Zhejiang Province, China
  • About author:Gao Jiabin, Medicine College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312099, Zhejiang Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program), No. 82205234 (to LW); Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation Joint Fund Project, No. 2024AFD049 (to ZX); Xiangyang Municipal Science and Technology Bureau Key Project, No. 2022YL07A (to LW); Zhejiang Medical Association Clinical Medicine Special Fund Project, No. 2023ZYC-A182 (to LW); Shaoxing University Key Research Project, No. 2024LG011 (to ZHM); Shaoxing University Research Start-up Fund Project (to LW); Shaoxing Municipal Basic Public Welfare Special Project, No. 2025A14022 (to LW)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The development of osteoporosis is closely associated with the disruption of bone homeostasis, particularly due to the enhanced bone resorption activity of osteoclasts. Mitophagy, an autophagic pathway that selectively degrades damaged mitochondria, has recently been identified as being intricately linked to the pathogenesis and progression of osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanisms of mitophagy and its regulatory roles in osteoclasts and to investigate the potential mechanisms by which mitophagy influences bone homeostasis through the regulation of osteoclastogenesis and apoptosis.
METHODS: The databases searched included PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases. The search terms were “mitophagy, bone metabolism, osteoclasts, bone homeostasis, bone resorption, bone loss” in Chinese and English. The search time frame was from January 2008 to April 2025. Based on the inclusion criteria, the search results were screened and excluded, and 101 articles were finally included for review and analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUTION: Mitophagy is a crucial mitochondrial quality control mechanism within cells, primarily responsible for the selective elimination of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria. The main pathways of mitophagy include the phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1/E3 ubiquitin ligase pathway and the receptor-mediated mitophagy pathway. Mitophagy often exhibits dual beneficial and detrimental properties in the body. Excessive mitophagy can lead to imbalance of bone metabolism and subsequent osteoporosis by maintaining intracellular reactive oxygen species homeostasis, regulating energy metabolism, promoting osteoclast differentiation, inhibiting osteoclast apoptosis, and increasing bone resorption. 

Key words: mitophagy, osteoporosis, osteoclasts, bone homeostasis, bone metabolism, bone resorption, tissue construction

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