PINK1 and bronchitis: Further, genetic studies have shown that RIPK3 activation during CS exposure is integrated with PINK1-dependent mitophagy, in which genetic deficiencies of core autophagy (LC3B) and mitophagy proteins (PINK1) conferred protection to pulmonary epithelial cells against apoptosis and necroptotic cell death and against emphysema and bronchitis pathophysiology in vivo [113,114].