title: Autophagy modulation as a potential therapeutic target for liver diseases.
abstract: Autophagy is a critical intracellular pathway which maintains cellular function by lysosomal degradation of damaged proteins and organelles besides elimination of invading pathogens. Its primary function is to prevent cell death. Autophagy has diverse physiological functions namely; starvation adaptation, prevention of tumorigenesis, energy homeostasis, intracellular quality control and degradation of abnormal intracellular protein aggregates. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of autophagy has given key insights into the pathogenesis of various diseases like Non Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis, Hepatitis B and C infections, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and hepatocellular carcinoma. Pharmacological modulation of autophagy may have a therapeutic potential in management of these liver diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Army Hospital (Research and Referral), Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi 110010, India.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Command Hospital (EC), Alipore Road, Kolkata 700027, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandra
keywords: AMPk, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein linase; AT, antitrypsin; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HSC, hepatic stellate cells; NASH, Non Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis; STEBPs, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins; TG, triglyceride; ULK1, Uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1; autophagosome; autophagy; liver diseases; mTORC1, mTOR complex 1; mTORC2, mTOR complex 2