Macrophage lipophagy in atherosclerosis: from molecular mechanisms to traditional Chinese medicine interventions
4 affiliations
- 1First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine
- 2Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
- 3Guang’anmen Hospital of Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- 4Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Macrophage lipophagy, the selective autophagic degradation of intracellular lipid droplets, plays a central role in maintaining lipid homeostasis and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for atherosclerosis (AS). This review systematically synthesizes the classification, molecular mechanisms, and key signaling networks of macrophage lipophagy. Moreover, recent evidence on the anti-AS effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) mediated by the regulation of macrophage lipophagy has also been summarized and evaluated, including active metabolites, medicinal plants, herbal formulas and commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations. Despite robust preclinical evidence, challenges remain. Significant efforts are still required to facilitate clinical translation and offer novel comprehensive strategies for the prevention and management of AS.
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BibTeX
@article{hu2026macrophage,
title = {{Macrophage lipophagy in atherosclerosis: from molecular mechanisms to traditional Chinese medicine interventions}},
author = {Ying Hu and Shuo Yuan and Xingjuan Chen and Yu Wen and Fang Liu and Xuewei Dong and Mengxuan Cui and Na Zhao and Hua Dong},
journal = {Frontiers in Pharmacology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1916672},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1916672/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Macrophage lipophagy in atherosclerosis: from molecular mechanisms to traditional Chinese medicine interventions
AU - Ying Hu
AU - Shuo Yuan
AU - Xingjuan Chen
AU - Yu Wen
AU - Fang Liu
AU - Xuewei Dong
AU - Mengxuan Cui
AU - Na Zhao
AU - Hua Dong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1916672
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1916672/full
AB - Macrophage lipophagy, the selective autophagic degradation of intracellular lipid droplets, plays a central role in maintaining lipid homeostasis and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for atherosclerosis (AS). This review systematically synthesizes the classification, molecular mechanisms, and key signaling networks of macrophage lipophagy. Moreover, recent evidence on the anti-AS effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) mediated by the regulation of macrophage lipophagy has also been summarized and evaluated, including active metabolites, medicinal plants, herbal formulas and commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations. Despite robust preclinical evidence, challenges remain. Significant efforts are still required to facilitate clinical translation and offer novel comprehensive strategies for the prevention and management of AS.
SN - 1663-9812
ER -