The lysosome was first discovered by de Duve, who defined it as a monolayer vesicle rich in acidic hydrolases 1. LQC may be a novel but pivotal target for disease treatment because of its indispensable role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis and cell fate. Lysosomal quality control (LQC), comprising lysosomal repair, lysophagy, and lysosomal regeneration, is rapidly initiated in response to lysosomal damage to maintain lysosomal structural integrity and functional homeostasis. The collapse of lysosomal homeostasis is reportedly critical for the pathogenesis and development of various diseases, such as tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory diseases. In fact, lysosomal damage not only disrupts intracellular clearance but also results in the leakage of multiple contents, which pose great threats to the cell by triggering cell death pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. The structural integrity and functional balance of lysosomes are essential for cell function and viability.
Lysosomes also serve as signaling hubs to monitor the intracellular levels of nutrients and energy by acting as platforms for the assembly of multiple signaling pathways, such as mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In eukaryotic cells, lysosomes are digestive centers where biological macromolecules are degraded by phagocytosis and autophagy, thereby maintaining cellular self-renewal capacity and energy supply.