Crystalline silica-induced macrophage pyroptosis interacting with mitophagy contributes to pulmonary fibrosis via modulating mitochondria homeostasis

Environmental exposure to crystalline silica (CS) can lead to silicosis. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of silicosis. Previously, we demonstrated that enhancing AMs mitophagy exerted pro-tective effects on silicosis with a restrained inflammatory response. However, the exact molecular mechanisms are elusive. Pyroptosis and mitophagy are two different biological processes that determine cell fate. Exploring whether there were interactions or balances between these two processes in AMs would provide new insight into treating silicosis. Here we reported that crystalline silica induced pyroptosis in silicotic lungs and AMs with

Automated summary

Environmental exposure to crystalline silica can cause silicosis, and alveolar macrophages play an important role in its development. Previous studies have shown that enhancing mitophagy in these macrophages can protect against silicosis and reduce inflammation. The specific molecular mechanisms, however, remain unclear. Investigating the interaction and balance between pyroptosis and mitophagy in alveolar macrophages may provide new insights for the treatment of silicosis.