Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradative pathway which is characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization. However,it is not just a simple degradative pathway. Research shows that autophagy is related to many diseases,such as neurodegenerative disease,malignant tumor,ageing,pathogenic microorganism infection,myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and so on. Autophagy exactly exists in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury,and it becomes a new research hotspot. This review will focus on the occurrence and development of autophagy and its role,signal transduction and research status in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
