Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy as a driver of chronic kidney disease; An area for future exploration in feline chronic kidney disease?

Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of mortality in older cats and though understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of this heterogenous disease is improving, many details remain elusive. Dysregulation of mitophagy, a normal cellular process whereby dysfunctional mitochondria are cleared from the cell, may contribute to ongoing inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately worsening kidney function. Whilst advancement in the study of model species and humans have revealed differential patterns of mitophagy in the kidney in different disease states, knowledge about mitophagy in feline CKD remains unexplored. This review summarises the current knowledge based around the contribution that dysregulated mitochondrial function and mitophagy make to oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis in CKD, considers their potential involvement in feline CKD and how this knowledge could be used to identify potential therapeutic targets for the future.