Autophagy in Human Health and Disease

The complex integration of biologic and physiological processes such as inflammation, apoptosis, cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism can influence the pathogenesis of human diseases. Understanding the cellular and molecular bases of these processes is crucial for identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. During the past decade, interest in defining the basic cellular mechanism of autophagy (?self-eating?; see the Glossary) and its roles in human health and disease has become widespread.1?3 Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) is a homeostatic process that takes place in all eukaryotic cells and involves the sequestration of cytoplasmic components in double-membraned autophagosomes. These structures . . .