The contribution of autophagy to lymphocyte survival and homeostasis.
Over the life span of a T lymphocyte, from thymic development to death, it is subjected to a variety of stresses and stimuli. Upon receipt of each stress or stimulus, a potentially life-changing fate decision must be made, namely, whether to commit to a form of programmed cell death or to make the necessary adaptations to effectively deal with the changing environment. In our laboratory, we have identified several stresses that a T lymphocyte will encounter during a normal life span. Our studies have focused on how T cells utilize autophagy to get a grasp on the situation, or in cases in which survival is untenable, how T cells use autophagy to hasten their demise. This review focuses on the functions of T-cell autophagy in maintaining homeostasis, eliminating excess or dangerous levels of mitochondria, trimming levels of endoplasmic reticulum, and promoting a healthy metabolic level to allow cells to perform as productive components of the immune system. In addition, the use of autophagy signaling molecules to perform autophagy-independent tasks involved in the maintenance of immune homeostasis is discussed.
Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Ian X
IX
McLeod
Wei
W
Jia
You-Wen
YW
He
D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*