Figure 1.

Aldehydes present in cigarette smoke are suggested to induce dysregulation of processes controlling mitochondrial homeostasis in cells of the airways and lungs, respectively the synthesis of new mitochondria (mitochondrial biogenesis) and mitochondrial dynamics including mitochondrial fusion/fission as well as targeted degradation of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria (mitophagy). Based on previous (limited) in vitro and in vivo studies, aldehydes-induced mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Designed with Biorender.com.