Longevity & AgingMOTS-c Peptide Boosts Tissue Survival by Protecting Lysosome Integrity
MOTS-c, a peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA, has shown promising results in protecting ischemic tissue flaps used in reconstructive surgery. Researchers found that MOTS-c reduces reactive oxygen species, stabilizes mitochondrial membrane potential, and critically, prevents lysosomal membrane permeabilization — a form of cellular damage that triggers inflammation and cell death. By suppressing the enzyme PLA2G4A via the MAPK1-MAPK3-NF-κB signaling pathway, MOTS-c enhanced autophagy, reduced pyroptosis (inflammatory cell death), and improved blood flow and collagen remodeling in ischemic tissue. These findings position MOTS-c as a potential therapeutic agent for improving outcomes in complex reconstructive surgeries involving tissue flaps.
