Mechanism of action of mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex in treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
- VernacularTitle:线粒体钙单向转运体复合物在代谢相关脂肪性肝病中的作用机制
- Author:
Xinyu ZHANG
1
;
Lijuan DAN
1
;
Xiaojie YOU
1
;
Jie MU
1
;
Hongfei SONG
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease; Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter; Pathologic Processes
- From: Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1952-1959
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） is a chronic liver condition closely associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism， with the central pathological event of mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter （MCU） complex is a key molecular apparatus regulating mitochondrial calcium （mtCa2+） homeostasis， and mtCa2+ overload due to its dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of MAFLD. This article systematically elaborates on the pathogenesis of MAFLD， with a particular focus on how the central signaling axis of “MCU complex dysfunction-mtCa2+ overload” drives the disease progression of MAFLD by disrupting energy metabolism， activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway， triggering the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome， and inducing cell death. It also points out that traditional Chinese medicine can exert an interventional effect on multiple downstream pathways through various targets and has shown unique advantages and a significant potential in alleviating MAFLD by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and targeting the MCU complex， and therefore， it is expected to provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
