Senescence and autophagy play important roles in homeostasis. Cellular senescence and autophagy commonly cause several degenerative processes, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere shortening, and oncogenic stress; hence, both events are known to be interrelated. Autophagy is well known for its disruptive effect on human diseases, and it is currently proposed to have a direct effect on triggering senescence and quiescence. However, it is yet to be proven whether autophagy has a positive or negative impact on senescence. It is known that elevated levels of autophagy induce cell death, whereas inadequate autophagy can trigger cellular senescence. Both have important roles in human diseases such as aging, renal degeneration, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the relevance of senescence and autophagy in selected human ailments through a summary of recent findings on the connection and effects of autophagy and senescence in these diseases.
arthritis, autophagy, cancer, cardiac diseases, renal diseases, senescenceAbbreviations: 3-MA, 3-methyladenine; ATG, autophagy related; ATM, ataxia-telangiectasia mutated; BNIP3, BCL2-interacting protein 3; CDKN1A/p21, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A;LAMP-1, lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein-1; LC3, light chain 3; MiT/TFE, microphthalmia/transcription factor E; mtor, mammalian target of rapamycin; OA, osteoarthritis; PTECs, proximal tubular epithelial cells; RAPTOR, regulatory-associated protein; SASP, senescence-associated secretory phenotype; TP53, tumor protein p53; VSMCs, vascular smooth muscle cells.*Peramaiyan Rajendran and Abdullah M Alzahrani contributed equally to this work.
