Role of Autophagy in Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Liver Diseases

Figure 4

A schematic model represents a dual role of Cd in autophagy regulation in the liver. Low concentrations of Cd exposure increase ER and oxidative stress in the liver and the expression of autophagy regulatory components such as ATG7, ATG4, p62, LC3B, and Beclin-1, leading to increased function autophagy and reduced Cd-mediated liver toxicity. In contrast, at higher concentrations, there is Cd-induced defective autophagy by increasing lysosomal acidification and by blocking autophagosome-lysosome fusion, leading to increased liver steatosis, NAFLD, and HCC development.