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The Emerging Roles of Autophagy in Human Diseases.
Yuchen Lei1,2, Daniel J Klionsky1,2
1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Biomedicines
|November 27, 2021
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular self-digestion process, plays a dual role in human diseases, both fighting and promoting pathologies. This review explores autophagy
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process for degrading and recycling intracellular components.
- It is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and overall health.
- Recent research highlights autophagy's complex involvement in various human diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of autophagy's role in human diseases.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy.
- To identify open questions in the field of autophagy and disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in autophagy research.
- Focus on specific disease areas: cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders.
- Analysis of therapeutic interventions modulating autophagy.
Main Results:
- Autophagy exhibits context-dependent roles, acting as both a protective mechanism and a disease promoter.
- Significant progress has been made in understanding autophagy's involvement in major pathologies.
- Therapeutic targeting of autophagy shows promise but requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy's complex role in disease necessitates careful consideration for therapeutic applications.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate autophagy's mechanisms in disease and optimize treatment strategies.
- Targeting autophagy offers a promising avenue for novel disease therapies.
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