Autophagy acts as a cytoplasmic rejuvenation mechanisms, implying that its enhancement has a marked geroprotective effect. Our group focuses on the identification of endogenous metabolites that stimulate autophagy, as well as on the identification of extracellular autophagy-inhibitory proteins (or ‘checkpoints’) the neutralization of which unblocks autophagy. Irrespective of their precise mode of action, autophagy enhancers have cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic that combat aging and age-related pathologies. This applies to a variety of highly prevalent cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, malignant and metabolic diseases.
