Abstract: Autophagy is a biological process which cells maintain homeostasis through degradation of cytoplasmic macromolecules and damaged organelles by membrane vesicle structure. Autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining survival of intestinal epithelial cells during intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. A negative regulator of autophagy can lead to intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis.

Key words: Autophagy, Intestinal mucosal barrier, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, MicroRNA, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway