Caratterizzazione di nuovi induttori dell'autofagia a basso peso molecolare: dallo studio del meccanismo d’azione ai benefici funzionali

Autophagy is a fundamental catabolic process responsible for the degradation and recycling of intracellular components, essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis under both physiological and stress conditions. Autophagy is one of the key cellular mechanisms to maintain retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Impaired autophagy, as well as other dysfunctional cellular clearance mechanisms, has been associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the major causes of vision loss among the elderly. This thesis investigates the effects of a panel of newly synthesized small-molecules on stress-induced responses in hTERT RPE-1 cells, using sodium iodate (NaIO₃) as a model compound to induce oxidative stress. The experimental approach includes WST-1 assays for cell viability, Western blot analysis to detect some specific proteins, and lipofuscin accumulation assessment through Sudan Black B staining. Although data analysis is still ongoing, this study aims to explore the functional impact of these compounds on cell survival and stress responses in RPE cells. The results may contribute to a better understanding of how small molecules can modulate protective pathways relevant to AMD.