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The contribution of autophagy to lymphocyte survival and homeostasis
Author(s) -
McLeod Ian X.,
Jia Wei,
He YouWen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2012.01143.x
Subject(s) - autophagy , biology , mitophagy , microbiology and biotechnology , programmed cell death , homeostasis , immune system , lymphocyte , mitochondrion , life span , immunology , apoptosis , genetics , evolutionary biology
Summary: Over the life span of a T lymphocyte, from thymic development to death, it is subjected to a variety of stresses and stimuli. Upon receipt of each stress or stimulus, a potentially life‐changing fate decision must be made, namely, whether to commit to a form of programmed cell death or to make the necessary adaptations to effectively deal with the changing environment. In our laboratory, we have identified several stresses that a T lymphocyte will encounter during a normal life span. Our studies have focused on how T cells utilize autophagy to get a grasp on the situation, or in cases in which survival is untenable, how T cells use autophagy to hasten their demise. This review focuses on the functions of T‐cell autophagy in maintaining homeostasis, eliminating excess or dangerous levels of mitochondria, trimming levels of endoplasmic reticulum, and promoting a healthy metabolic level to allow cells to perform as productive components of the immune system. In addition, the use of autophagy signaling molecules to perform autophagy‐independent tasks involved in the maintenance of immune homeostasis is discussed.