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Links between autophagy and tissue mechanics.

Aurore Claude-Taupin1, Patrice Codogno1, Nicolas Dupont1

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Physical forces significantly impact cellular functions. This review highlights how macroautophagy (a cellular process) integrates these mechanical signals, influencing cell responses from morphology to senescence.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mechanobiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Physical constraints like compression, shear stress, and tension are critical in development, tissue homeostasis, immune responses, and disease.
  • Cells and organelles experience mechanical forces during migration and extravasation, prompting research into how these forces drive biological responses.
  • Emerging evidence points to macroautophagy's role in integrating physical constraints within cellular systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current knowledge on macroautophagy's function in cellular responses to mechanical forces.
  • To discuss macroautophagy's role in regulating cell morphology, metabolism, inflammation, and senescence under physical constraints.
  • To identify cell surface molecules and structures involved in sensing mechanical forces upstream of macroautophagy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on mechanobiology and macroautophagy.
  • Analysis of studies investigating cellular responses to various physical constraints.
  • Identification and discussion of mechanosensory pathways linked to macroautophagy.

Main Results:

  • Macroautophagy plays a significant role in how cells adapt to and integrate mechanical cues.
  • Physical forces influence diverse cellular processes, including morphology, metabolism, inflammation, and senescence, via macroautophagy.
  • Specific cell surface molecules and structures act as upstream sensors of mechanical forces that trigger macroautophagy.

Conclusions:

  • Macroautophagy is a key cellular mechanism for responding to and integrating mechanical forces.
  • Understanding this interplay is crucial for comprehending development, tissue health, and disease.
  • Further research into mechanosensory pathways upstream of macroautophagy will illuminate cellular force integration.