Affiliation:
1. College of Science & Technology Hebei Agricultural University Baoding 071001 China
2. Hebei Key Laboratory of Analysis and Control of Zoonotic Pathogenic Microorganism Baoding 071100 China
3. Department of Chemistry Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes Av Universidad 940 Aguascalientes Aguascalientes México
4. School of Pharmacy Nantong University Nantong 226001 China
5. School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study UCAS Hangzhou 10024 China
6. Institute of Environmental Research at the Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education Guangzhou University Guangzhou 510006 China
Abstract
AbstractAutophagy, vital for removing cellular waste, is triggered differently by small molecules and nanoparticles. Small molecules, like rapamycin, non‐selectively activate autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, which is essential for cell regulation. This can clear damaged components but may cause cytotoxicity with prolonged use. Nanoparticles, however, induce autophagy, often causing oxidative stress, through broader cellular interactions and can lead to a targeted form known as “xenophagy.” Their impact varies with their properties but can be harnessed therapeutically. In this review, the autophagy induced by nanoparticles is explored and small molecules across four dimensions: the mechanisms behind autophagy induction, the outcomes of such induction, the toxicological effects on cellular autophagy, and the therapeutic potential of employing autophagy triggered by nanoparticles or small molecules. Although small molecules and nanoparticles each induce autophagy through different pathways and lead to diverse effects, both represent invaluable tools in cell biology, nanomedicine, and drug discovery, offering unique insights and therapeutic opportunities.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
National Key Research and Development Program of China