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Published on: April 13, 2018
Autophagy decline during ageing: Molecular regulation, tissue specificity, and therapeutic potential
Ahsas Goyal1, Anshika Kumari1, Neetu Agrawal1
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Pathology, Research and Practice
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular waste removal process, declines with age, contributing to age-related diseases. Restoring autophagy shows promise for treating these conditions, though clinical data is needed.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Aging Research
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Cellular regulation declines during aging, leading to the accumulation of damaged components and impaired proteostasis.
- Autophagy, a cellular self-digestion process, is crucial for removing cellular waste and maintaining normal function.
- Dysfunctional autophagy is implicated in the pathogenesis of various age-related disorders, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, muscular, and ocular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related decline in autophagy.
- To explore therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring autophagic flux for treating age-related disorders.
- To highlight the need for clinical validation of autophagy-targeting interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies on autophagy regulation and its decline during aging.
- Analysis of molecular pathways involved in autophagy dysregulation (e.g., AMPK, mTOR, TFEB, FOXO).
- Examination of therapeutic interventions, including pharmacological agents and lifestyle modifications.
Main Results:
- Age-related decline in autophagy is linked to dysregulation of nutrient-sensing pathways and transcriptional control.
- Preclinical studies demonstrate that interventions like mTOR inhibition, AMPK activation, and lifestyle changes can restore autophagic flux.
- Therapeutic targeting of autophagy shows potential in preclinical models for treating various age-related diseases.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy plays a critical role in cellular maintenance and its decline contributes to aging and associated diseases.
- Preclinical evidence supports autophagy modulation as a viable therapeutic strategy for age-related disorders.
- Further clinical research is essential to confirm the safety and efficacy of autophagy-targeting treatments for healthy aging.
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