Miguel A Ortega, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Diego de Leon-Oliva, Diego Liviu Boaru, Laura Lopez-Gonzalez, Cielo García-Montero, Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon, Luis G Guijarro, Diego Torres-Carranza, Miguel A Saez, Raul Diaz-Pedrero, Agustin Albillos, Melchor Alvarez-Mon
Autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to various stress conditions by the degradation of intracellular components. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of autophagy's cellular and molecular basis, biological significance, pharmacological modulation, and its relevance in lifestyle medicine. We delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern autophagy, including macroautophagy, microautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy. Moreover, we highlight the biological significance of autophagy in aging, immunity, metabolism, apoptosis, tissue differentiation and systemic diseases, such as neurodegenerative or cardiovascular diseases and cancer...
2024: International Journal of Biological Sciences