Crosstalk of Autophagy and Apoptosis: Recent Advances

Dear Colleagues,

Autophagy and apoptosis represent two fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms of cell fate regulation. However, the signaling pathways of both of these processes are significantly interconnected through various mechanisms of crosstalk.

Recent studies further clarified the molecules and signaling pathways involved in this crosstalk, involving both proteins and lipids. In this regard, mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) have been identified as critical hubs in the regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, and tumor growth. Recently, lipid rafts, which have been detected within MAMs, were shown to represent a physical and functional platform, operating during the early steps of the autophagic process.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to outline the more recent knowledge on the signal transduction pathways involved in the autophagy/apoptosis crosstalk and investigate the bioactive properties of drugs with antitumor activities, focusing on their role in the regulation of autophagy and cell death crosstalk that triggers the uncontrolled expansion of tumor cells. Furthermore, autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in the survival and function of T and B lymphocytes, and its activation is involved in apoptotic resistance in autoimmune diseases. An additional purpose of this Special Issue is to investigate whether the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis impacts the response to the therapy.

Understanding the molecular pathways involved in the apoptosis–autophagy relationship is a fundamental step in the knowledge of mechanisms regulating cell death and survival. This understanding may drive the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer and/or autoimmune diseases.

Prof. Dr. Maurizio Sorice
Prof. Dr. Valeria Manganelli
Guest Editors

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• autophagy 
• apoptosis 
• cell signaling 
• mitochondria 
• MAMs 
• lipid rafts 
• cancer therapy 
• autoimmunity

• Crosstalk of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Cells (8 articles)