Autophagy and its implication in human oral diseases

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Oral Pathology
• Immunology

Background:

• Autophagy is a fundamental lysosomal degradation pathway crucial for cellular homeostasis and overall health.
• Dysregulated autophagy is implicated in various pathologies, including cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases.
• The role of autophagy in oral diseases is complex, acting as either a protective or detrimental factor depending on the specific condition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms of autophagy.
• To highlight the emerging significance of autophagy in the pathogenesis of various oral diseases.
• To provide insights into autophagy's role in oral cancer, periapical lesions, periodontal diseases, and oral candidiasis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of autophagy mechanisms.
• Analysis of autophagy's involvement in cellular processes like apoptosis, inflammation, and pathogen clearance.
• Synthesis of current research on autophagy's role in oral disease progression.

Main Results:

• Activated autophagy can be cytoprotective in tumors, mediating resistance to anticancer treatments.
• Autophagy is involved in eliminating intracellular pathogens and presenting antigens to the immune system.
• Impaired autophagy contributes to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and tumorigenesis, affecting bacterial clearance and immune responses.

Conclusions:

• Autophagy's complex role in oral diseases necessitates further investigation.
• Understanding autophagy modulation offers potential therapeutic strategies for oral pathologies.
• This review underscores the critical link between autophagy and oral health, impacting diverse conditions from cancer to infections.