“…Autophagy, which normally acts as a defence mechanism against cell death by removing damaged cellular structures, can be impaired as well (De Munck et al, 2020). Some genome-wide studies have already discovered associations between certain genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to AS (Averta et al, 2021). All these mechanisms can play a role in the pathogenesis of AS and targeting them may play a substantial part in its prevention and/or treatment.…”