Canonical and noncanonical autophagy in immunity.

Membrane atg8ylation underpins both canonical and noncanonical autophagy, influencing immunity and inflammation across a range of diseases in humans and model organisms.

• Why it matters: Understanding these processes is crucial because they are linked to immune responses, inflammation, and various diseases, yet their diverse mechanisms have led to confusion and misinterpretation in the field.
• What they did: The authors review how membrane atg8ylation, a shared ancestral process, manifests in different autophagic pathways and impacts immune functions, supported by genetic and experimental evidence.
• The result: This insight clarifies the roles of autophagy-related processes in health and disease, highlighting potential targets for therapeutic intervention in conditions like infections, autoimmunity, cancer, and neurodegeneration.