Extracellular matrix regulation of autophagy

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2008 Oct;20(5):583-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2008.05.002. Epub 2008 Jun 21.

Abstract

Integrin-mediated attachment of epithelial cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for proper growth and survival. Although detachment leads to apoptosis, termed anoikis, recent work demonstrates that ECM detachment also robustly induces autophagy, a tightly regulated lysosomal self-digestion process that actually promotes survival. Autophagy presumably protects epithelial cells from the stresses of ECM detachment, allowing them to survive provided that they reattach in a timely manner. Currently, the intracellular signals linking integrin engagement to autophagy remain unclear, but certain growth factor, energy-sensing, and stress-response pathways represent attractive candidates. Moreover, autophagy may be a previously unrecognized mechanism utilized by detached cancer cells to survive anoikis, which may facilitate tumor cell dormancy, dissemination, and metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anoikis / physiology
  • Autophagy / physiology*
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • DNA Damage
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*