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The Upstream Pathway of mTOR-Mediated Autophagy in Liver Diseases

Haojie Wang1, Yumei Liu1, Dongmei Wang2

  • 1College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China.

Cells
|December 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy regulates cell survival and is crucial for treating liver injury. This review explores upstream pathways (PI3K/AKT, AMPK, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK) that control mTOR-mediated autophagy in various liver diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Hepatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Autophagy is a cellular degradation process vital for cell survival under stress.
  • Dysregulation of autophagy is implicated in numerous liver diseases.
  • Targeting autophagy offers a potential therapeutic strategy for liver injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review upstream signaling pathways regulating mTOR-mediated autophagy.
  • To explore the role of these pathways in diverse liver diseases.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets for liver disease treatment via autophagy modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of signaling pathways influencing autophagy.
  • Analysis of the role of mTOR-mediated autophagy in liver pathophysiology.
  • Examination of crosstalk between key signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Identified PI3K/AKT, AMPK, and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK as key upstream regulators of mTOR.
  • Demonstrated the involvement of mTOR-mediated autophagy in liver fibrosis, hepatitis B, NAFLD, liver cancer, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
  • Highlighted significant crosstalk between the reviewed signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Modulating mTOR-mediated autophagy through its upstream pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for liver diseases.
  • Understanding pathway crosstalk can reveal new therapeutic targets.
  • Further research into autophagy regulation is essential for advancing liver disease treatment.
Keywords:
AKTAMPKERKMEKPI3KRafRasautophagyliver diseasesmTOR

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