Mitochondria, oxidative stress and innate immunity

Abstract

Canonical functions of mitochondria include the regulation of cellular survival, orchestration of anabolic and metabolic pathways, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. Recent discoveries, nevertheless, have demonstrated that mitochondria are also critical elements to stimulate innate immune signaling cascade that is able to intensify the inflammation upon cytotoxic stimuli beyond microbial infection. Here we review the expanding research field of mitochondria and oxidative stress in innate immune system to highlight the new mechanistic insights and discuss the pathological relevance of mitochondrial dysregulation induced aberrant innate immune responses in a growing list of sterile inflammatory diseases.