Endolysosome and Autolysosome Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: Where Intracellular and Extracellular Meet

Disturbed proteostasis as reflected by a massive accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates is a central feature in Alzheimer’s disease. Proteostatic disturbances may be caused by a shift in protein production and clearance. Whereas rare genetic causes of the disease affect the production side, sporadic cases appear to be directed by dysfunction in protein clearance. This review focusses on the involvement of lysosome-mediated clearance. Autophagy is a degradational system where intracellular components are degraded by lysosomal organelles. In addition, “outside-to-inside” trafficking through the endosomes converges with the autolysosomal pathway, thereby bringing together intracellular and extracellular components. Recent findings demonstrate that disturbance in the endo- and autolysosomal pathway induces “inside-to-outside” communication via induction of unconventional secretion, which may bear relevance to the spreading of disease pathology through the brain. The involvement of these pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease is discussed with an outlook to the opportunities it provides for diagnostics as well as therapeutic interventions.