Redox Control of Autophagy and Mitophagy in Health and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

Autophagy and mitophagy are fundamental cellular defense mechanisms that preserve redox homeostasis, mitochondrial integrity, and metabolic balance. While oxidative stress has traditionally been viewed as a driver of cellular damage, it is now clear that reactive oxygen species (ROS) also function as essential signaling molecules that regulate autophagy initiation, mitochondrial turnover, and adaptive stress responses. Defining how redox signaling intersects with autophagy and mitophagy is therefore central to understanding both physiological antioxidant defense systems and disease pathogenesis. This Special Issue of Antioxidants focuses on the mechanistic and translational roles of oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in the regulation of autophagy and mitophagy. Particular emphasis is placed on mitochondrial quality-control pathways, including redox-sensitive regulation of PINK1–Parkin–dependent mitophagy, BNIP3/NIX-mediated mitochondrial clearance, and FUNDC1-driven hypoxia signaling. Disruption of these pathways contributes to the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and aging-related pathologies. Consistent with the scope of Antioxidants, this issue highlights a growing paradigm shift: antioxidants are no longer viewed solely as nonspecific ROS scavengers, but rather as precision regulators of redox signaling, mitochondrial function, and stress-adaptive pathways. Understanding how endogenous and exogenous antioxidants fine-tune autophagic and mitophagic processes—without abolishing physiological redox signaling—is critical for developing effective and reproducible antioxidant-based interventions. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, mechanistic studies, and authoritative reviews that advance fundamental knowledge of antioxidant systems, redox signaling, and oxidative stress–regulated autophagy in health and disease. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: ROS and redox signaling in autophagy and mitophagy initiation. Antioxidant enzymes and redox regulators controlling mitochondrial quality control. Redox regulation of PINK1–Parkin, BNIP3/NIX, FUNDC1, and related pathways. Mitochondrial oxidative stress and autophagic flux. Antioxidants as modulators of mitophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis. Redox–autophagy interactions in neurodegeneration, stroke, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Organelle-targeted antioxidants and pathway-selective redox interventions. Translational and therapeutic implications of redox-controlled autophagy Why Submit? High visibility, focused audience: Your work will be featured in a flagship Special Issue centered on one of the fastest-growing areas of redox biology. Mechanism-driven scope: Studies that go beyond descriptive oxidative stress measurements to reveal signaling mechanisms, pathway specificity, or therapeutic relevance are strongly encouraged. Welcomes reviews and original research: An excellent opportunity to publish first-author reviews, conceptual frameworks, or mechanistic studies that establish scientific independence. Broad disease relevance: Contributions will reach researchers across neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, cancer, metabolism, and aging. Strong citation potential: Redox–autophagy research is highly cross-disciplinary, supporting long-term visibility and impact. By integrating antioxidant biology with autophagy and mitophagy research, this Special Issue aims to advance a more nuanced understanding of how redox signaling governs cellular adaptation, mitochondrial quality control, and disease progression—while defining future directions for antioxidant-based therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Lanrong Bi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• redox signaling
• autophagy and mitophagy
• mitochondrial quality control
• antioxidant systems
• disease pathogenesis