Sirtuin 3 deficiency exacerbates emphysema and lung inflammation in a murine model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Our study is the first to elucidate the protective role of SIRT3 in the pathogenesis of COPD by modulating inflammatory responses and apoptosis. We have demonstrated that SIRT3 knockout mice spontaneously develop emphysema, and SIRT3 overexpression reduced elastase and LPS-induced emphysematous changes. In vitro studies have shown that SIRT3 deficiency leads to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in airway and alveolar epithelium, contributing to the formation and exacerbation of emphysema.