The role of autophagy in reproduction from gametogenesis to parturition.
Autophagy is an intracellular process responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis by the removal of cytoplasmic organelles, intracellular bacteria and viruses, and is a critical component of both the innate and acquired immune systems. A failure in physiological activation, assembly and function of the autophagic pathway has been implicated in a broad range of diseases including neurogenerative diseases, cardiopathy, infectious diseases, autoimmunity and cancer. Its involvement in reproduction, however, has not been extensively studied. Its activity is fundamental to many processes across the reproduction spectrum from development of the primordial follicle and spermatozoa to embryogenesis, placental development and maintaining uterine quiescence during pregnancy. Malfunctions in autophagy are associated with deleterious repercussions throughout reproduction. In this review we examine what is known about the involvement of autophagy in gamete formation, early post-fertilization embryogenesis, placental development and parturition, and propose promising areas for future research.
Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States.
Tomi T
TT
Kanninen
Bruna Ribeiro
BR
de Andrade Ramos
Steven S
SS
Witkin
D001343:Autophagy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000503:physiopathology; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000503:physiopathology; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
Autophagy; Human reproduction; Pregnancy disorders