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Related Concept Videos

Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

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Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
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Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

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Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
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Autophagic Cell Death01:18

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Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
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Mitochondria01:37

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Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
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The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

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Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
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Aging01:26

Aging

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Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Assessing Lysosomal Alkalinization in the Intestine of Live Caenorhabditis elegans
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Autophagy in aging and disease.

Mădălina Fîlfan1, Raluca Elena Sandu, Alexandra Daniela Zăvăleanu

  • 1Chair of Vascular Neurology and Dementia, University of Medicine Essen, Germany; aurel.popa@uk-essen.de.

Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology = Revue Roumaine De Morphologie Et Embryologie
|May 20, 2017
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Summary

Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is vital for health and longevity. Stimulating autophagy may offer therapeutic benefits for aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and vascular conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Autophagy is a fundamental cellular catabolic process for degrading and recycling damaged cellular components.
  • It is conserved across mammals and modulated by physiological conditions like oxidative stress, starvation, and hypoxia.
  • Dysregulation of autophagy, evidenced by altered protein expression (Beclin 1, LC3, Atg5, Atg7), is observed in aged tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of autophagy in cellular homeostasis and disease.
  • To investigate the potential of autophagy modulation as a therapeutic strategy for age-related and other pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on autophagy mechanisms and functions.
  • Analysis of studies investigating autophagy's role in aging, acute lung injury, sepsis, vascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Examination of evidence linking autophagy modulation (e.g., spermidine) to lifespan extension and disease prevention.

Main Results:

  • Pharmacological stimulation of autophagy with spermidine has been shown to extend lifespan in model organisms (yeast, nematodes, flies).
  • Autophagy plays a role in preventing vascular diseases by promoting cholesterol efflux and inhibiting necrotic core formation.
  • Evidence suggests autophagy's involvement in neuroprotection and its potential therapeutic relevance in Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease models.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy is a critical cellular process with broad implications for healthspan and disease.
  • Modulating autophagy presents a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions in aging, vascular disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Further research into autophagy's complex roles in immunity, cancer, and inflammation is warranted.