Figure 1.
Different stages of cell damage. Autophagy is one of the mechanisms acting as the first barrier against cell damage to avoid the accumulation of non-functional organelles or proteins in the cells. When this mechanism is overburdened, apoptosis or senescence is activated. These mechanisms stop the damaged cells’ dissemination and prevent the apparition of age-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders or cancer. An accumulation of damaged organelles and proteins and changes in the genetic material are observed in these diseases.