Roles of copper homeostasis dysregulation and cuproptosis in pulmonary diseases

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2026.08.1139

Abstract

Abstract: Copper homeostasis imbalance and cuproptosis exacerbate pulmonary inflammation by promoting the release of cytokines through oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage; contribute to pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by participating in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis; worsen asthma symptoms by enhancing the activity of the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) signaling pathway; induce pulmonary fibrosis by activating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling; and accelerate the growth and metastasis of lung cancer by upregulating hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-driven angiogenesis. Clinical translation of these mechanisms may provide novel insights and therapeutic strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases.

Key words: copper homeostasis, cuproptosis, pulmonary diseases, tricarboxylic acid cycle

CLC Number:

R563

LI Chen, YU Shaofei. Roles of copper homeostasis dysregulation and cuproptosis in pulmonary diseases[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2026, 46(8): 1139-1143.

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