Key roles of autophagy in regulating T-cell function

In the past 10 years, autophagy has emerged as a crucial regulator of T-cell homeostasis, activation, and differentiation. Through the ability to adjust the cell's proteome in response to different stimuli, different forms of autophagy have been shown to control T-cell homeostasis and survival. Autophagic processes can also determine the magnitude of the T-cell response to TCR engagement, by regulating the cellular levels of specific signaling intermediates and modulating the metabolic output in activated T cells. In this review we will examine the mechanisms that control autophagy activity in T cells, such as ROS signaling and signaling through common gamma-chain cytokine receptors, and the different aspect of T-cell biology, including T-cell survival, effector cell function, and generation of memory, which can be regulated by autophagy.