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Molecular Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration and How to Avoid It 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 4253

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
Interests: gap junction; retina; neurobiology; patch clamp; calcium-imaging; vision
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Retinal Neurobiology Rresearch Group, Pécsi Tudományegyetem, 7622 Pecs, Hungary
Interests: vision; retinal signal processing; ganglion cells; population coding; electrical synapses; parallel signaling; morphological/functional classification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vision is the most important sensory modality in vertebrates in general and as such, it is the most feared sense to lose. The retina is the site for visual perception and we desperately need new tools and advanced therapeutic regimens to avoid retinal regeneration or at least slow down ongoing vision deteriorating diseases including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, myopia, retinal vascular disease, traumatic brain injuries, and many others.

Most cell types in the retina are involved in the deterioration process and thus suffer from these diseases including the neurons (ganglion cells, amacrine cells, bipolar cells, horizontal cells, and photoreceptors) as well non-neuronal (astrocytes, microglia, and Müller cells) cells. Comprehending the molecular mechanisms by which these diseases alter their function is crucial. Our special issue aims to widen our knowledge to help understand the disease phenotypes at all investigation levels since there is still a lack of information in identifying potential targets for regeneration or at least help retinal survival and restore vision.

We are looking forward to receiving your original research manuscripts or reviews.

Prof. Dr. Tamás Kovács-Öller
Dr. Bela Volgyi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • retinal degeneration
  • retina
  • disease
  • glaucoma
  • diabetic retinopathy
  • age-related macular degeneration
  • myopia
  • retinal vascular disease
  • traumatic brain injury
  • molecular mechanisms

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

28 pages, 2189 KiB  
Review
Understanding the Impact of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review
by Maëlis Brito, Capucine Sorbier, Nathalie Mignet, Vincent Boudy, Gerrit Borchard and Gaëlle Vacher
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 4099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25074099 - 07 Apr 2024
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Abstract
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial ocular pathology that destroys the photoreceptors of the macula. Two forms are distinguished, dry and wet AMD, with different pathophysiological mechanisms. Although treatments were shown to be effective in wet AMD, they remain a heavy burden [...] Read more.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial ocular pathology that destroys the photoreceptors of the macula. Two forms are distinguished, dry and wet AMD, with different pathophysiological mechanisms. Although treatments were shown to be effective in wet AMD, they remain a heavy burden for patients and caregivers, resulting in a lack of patient compliance. For dry AMD, no real effective treatment is available in Europe. It is, therefore, essential to look for new approaches. Recently, the use of long-chain and very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was identified as an interesting new therapeutic alternative. Indeed, the levels of these fatty acids, core components of photoreceptors, are significantly decreased in AMD patients. To better understand this pathology and to evaluate the efficacy of various molecules, in vitro and in vivo models reproducing the mechanisms of both types of AMD were developed. This article reviews the anatomy and the physiological aging of the retina and summarizes the clinical aspects, pathophysiological mechanisms of AMD and potential treatment strategies. In vitro and in vivo models of AMD are also presented. Finally, this manuscript focuses on the application of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of both types of AMD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration and How to Avoid It 2.0)
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19 pages, 1854 KiB  
Review
The Role of Galectin-3 in Retinal Degeneration and Other Ocular Diseases: A Potential Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
by Ziyi Zhou, Zhaochen Feng, Xiaojia Sun, Yusheng Wang and Guorui Dou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(21), 15516; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115516 - 24 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1136
Abstract
Galectin-3 is the most studied member of the Galectin family, with a large range of mediation in biological activities such as cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cell adhesion, and tissue repair, as well as in pathological processes such as inflammation, tissue fibrosis, and [...] Read more.
Galectin-3 is the most studied member of the Galectin family, with a large range of mediation in biological activities such as cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cell adhesion, and tissue repair, as well as in pathological processes such as inflammation, tissue fibrosis, and angiogenesis. As is known to all, inflammation, aberrant cell apoptosis, and neovascularization are the main pathophysiological processes in retinal degeneration and many ocular diseases. Therefore, the review aims to conclude the role of Gal3 in the retinal degeneration of various diseases as well as the occurrence and development of the diseases and discuss its molecular mechanisms according to research in systemic diseases. At the same time, we summarized the predictive role of Gal3 as a biomarker and the clinical application of its inhibitors to discuss the possibility of Gal3 as a novel target for the treatment of ocular diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration and How to Avoid It 2.0)
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17 pages, 1069 KiB  
Review
Neurovascular Cell Death and Therapeutic Strategies for Diabetic Retinopathy
by Toshiyuki Oshitari
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12919; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612919 - 18 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1587
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. DR was recently defined as a neurovascular disease associated with tissue-specific neurovascular impairment of the retina in patients with diabetes. Neurovascular cell death is the main cause [...] Read more.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. DR was recently defined as a neurovascular disease associated with tissue-specific neurovascular impairment of the retina in patients with diabetes. Neurovascular cell death is the main cause of neurovascular impairment in DR. Thus, neurovascular cell protection is a potential therapy for preventing the progression of DR. Growing evidence indicates that a variety of cell death pathways, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis, are associated with neurovascular cell death in DR. These forms of regulated cell death may serve as therapeutic targets for ameliorating the pathogenesis of DR. This review focuses on these cell death mechanisms and describes potential therapies for the treatment of DR that protect against neurovascular cell death. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration and How to Avoid It 2.0)
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