Zhao Ke, Chan Indigo T C, Tse Erin H Y, Xie Zhiyao, Cheung Tom H, Zeng Yi Arial
Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
Cell Regen. 2025 Apr 10;14(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s13619-025-00224-2.
Autophagy is a crucial cellular process that facilitates the degradation of damaged organelles and protein aggregates, and the recycling of cellular components for the energy production and macromolecule synthesis. It plays an indispensable role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Over recent decades, research has increasingly focused on the role of autophagy in regulating adult stem cells (SCs). Studies suggest that autophagy modulates various cellular processes and states of adult SCs, including quiescence, proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. The primary role of autophagy in these contexts is to sustain homeostasis, withstand stressors, and supply energy. Notably, the dysfunction of adult SCs during aging is correlated with a decline in autophagic activity, suggesting that autophagy is also involved in SC- and aging-associated disorders. Given the diverse cellular processes mediated by autophagy and the intricate mechanisms governing adult SCs, further research is essential to elucidate both universal and cell type-specific regulatory pathways of autophagy. This review discusses the role of autophagy in regulating adult SCs during quiescence, proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Additionally, it summarizes the relationship between SC aging and autophagy, providing therapeutical insights into treating and ameliorating aging-associated diseases and cancers, and ultimately promoting longevity.
自噬是一种关键的细胞过程，它有助于受损细胞器和蛋白质聚集体的降解，以及细胞成分的循环利用以进行能量产生和大分子合成。它在维持细胞内稳态中起着不可或缺的作用。在最近几十年里，研究越来越关注自噬在调节成体干细胞（SCs）中的作用。研究表明，自噬调节成体干细胞的各种细胞过程和状态，包括静止、增殖、自我更新和分化。在这些情况下，自噬的主要作用是维持内稳态、抵御应激源并提供能量。值得注意的是，衰老过程中成体干细胞的功能障碍与自噬活性的下降相关，这表明自噬也参与了与干细胞和衰老相关的疾病。鉴于自噬介导的多种细胞过程以及调控成体干细胞的复杂机制，进一步的研究对于阐明自噬的普遍和细胞类型特异性调控途径至关重要。这篇综述讨论了自噬在静止、增殖、自我更新和分化过程中调节成体干细胞的作用。此外，它总结了干细胞衰老与自噬之间的关系，为治疗和改善与衰老相关的疾病和癌症提供了治疗思路，并最终促进长寿。
