Autophagy in cells of the blood.
Autophagy is a conserved proteolytic mechanism that degrades cytoplasmic material including cell organelles. The importance of autophagy for cell homeostasis and survival has long been appreciated. Recent data suggest that autophagy is also involved in non-metabolic functions that particularly concern blood cells. Here, we review these findings, which point to an important role of autophagy in several cellular functions related to host defense.
Yousefi
Shida
S
Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 49, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Simon
Hans-Uwe
HU
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D001343:Autophagy; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D010587:Phagocytosis