Lipid droplets, autophagy, and ageing: A cell-specific tale

• Published in: Ageing research reviews Vol. 94; p. 102194
• Main Authors: Maestri, Alice, Garagnani, Paolo, Pedrelli, Matteo, Hagberg, Carolina E., Parini, Paolo, Ehrenborg, Ewa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Ageing; Autophagy; Lipid droplets; Lipid metabolism; Lipid metabolism; Lipid droplets; Autophagy; Ageing
• ISSN: 1568-1637; 1872-9649; 1872-9649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102194

Lipid droplets are the essential organelle for storing lipids in a cell. Within the variety of the human body, different cells store, utilize and release lipids in different ways, depending on their intrinsic function. However, these differences are not well characterized and, especially in the context of ageing, represent a key factor for cardiometabolic diseases. Whole body lipid homeostasis is a central interest in the field of cardiometabolic diseases. In this review we characterize lipid droplets and their utilization via autophagy and describe their diverse fate in three cells types central in cardiometabolic dysfunctions: adipocytes, hepatocytes, and macrophages. ●Lipid droplets (LD) are the essential organelle for storing lipids in a cell.●Different cells store, utilize and release lipids in different ways, depending on their intrinsic function and state.●We summarize LD metabolism in adipocytes, hepatocytes, and macrophages, master regulators of whole-body lipid homeostasis.●We discuss LD dynamics in relation to autophagy and ageing.