TY  - EJOU
AU  - Lu, Yi 
AU  - Wang, Lixiang 
AU  - Xu, Jiaheng 
AU  - Wang, Heru 
AU  - Li, Jiayu 
AU  - Li, Wanshun 
AU  - Su, Xinyi 
AU  - Li, Hongyu 
AU  - Zhang, Deyu 
AU  - Jin, Zhendong 
AU  - Huang, Haojie 

TI  - The Autophagy-Oxidative Stress Circuit: A Conductor of Cell Fate
T2  - BIOCELL

PY  - 
VL  - 
IS  - 
SN  - 1667-5746

AB  - Autophagy and oxidative stress form a bidirectional and dynamic regulatory network governing cell fate. Dysregulation of this crosstalk contributes to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and aging. Therefore, a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between autophagy and oxidative stress provides a theoretical foundation for developing therapeutic strategies targeting this axis. This review synthesizes recent literature on the underlying molecular mechanisms. Oxidative stress drives autophagic initiation through multiple interconnected pathways, including direct oxidative modification of core autophagy-related proteins, modulation of canonical signaling cascades, activation of nuclear transcription factors, and induction of selective autophagy. In turn, autophagy acts as a pivotal cytoprotective mechanism by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by damaged organelles, sustaining metabolic homeostasis, and reinforcing antioxidant signaling, thereby counteracting oxidative damage. The balance between these two processes determines whether cells adapt and survive, undergo programmed cell death, or enter senescence.
KW  - Autophagy; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; selective autophagy; cell fate

DO  - 10.32604/biocell.2026.082978