Macrophages are part of the immune system's frontline; they attack and "eat" invaders to protect surrounding cells. They, along with other cells, maintain intracellular conditions through macroautophagy, using autophagosomes to help digest broken cell components.

Mitophagy, the selective degradation of mitochondria, has been thought to occur via macroautophagy. Here, the authors present data indicating that microautophagy also mediates mitophagy in macrophages...

Mitophagy, the selective degradation of mitochondria, has been thought to occur via macroautophagy. Here, the authors present data indicating that microautophagy also mediates mitophagy in macrophages...