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Cellular Metabolism and Retinal Diseases: Unraveling Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic...
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Cellular Metabolism and Retinal Diseases: Unraveling Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Targets

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: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 1011

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandra Puddu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa, 6 Viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Interests: diabetes; retinopathy; VEGF-A; IGF-1; advanced glycation end-products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Davide Maggi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
Interests: the role of caveoles in the insulin and IGF1 signal; new technologies in the treatment of diabetes mellitus; role of bariatric surgery in the regulation of metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body, its different cell types organized in layers with close metabolic symbiotic exchanges between the cellular components. In particular, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) supplies nutrients from the choroidal vasculature to all retinal cellular components. However, the high metabolic demands depend on the nutrient supply. Therefore, the retina may be considered a metabolic ecosystem in which RPE cell dysfunction may compromise the function and viability of other retinal cells. RPE can use a lot of fuels, such as glucose, amino acids, lactic acid, and lipids, to produce energy. The disruption of the local energy supply may affect the redox balance, contributing to a disrupted retinal homeostasis. Moreover, metabolites affect epigenetic modifications, linking the cellular metabolism to transcriptional activity.

It is well known that the pathogenesis of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, is associated with retinal metabolism dysregulation. This Special Issue aims to provide new insights into the metabolic mechanisms at the basis of retinal diseases, supporting new therapeutic targets.

Dr. Alessandra Puddu
Dr. Davide Maggi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • retina
  • metabolic dysfunction in retinal diseases
  • metabolism and retinal cell function
  • metabolism and oxidative stress
  • therapeutic targets
  • intracellular signaling
  • epigenetic modification

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 11207 KiB  
Article
IGF-1 Signaling Modulates Oxidative Metabolism and Stress Resistance in ARPE-19 Cells Through PKM2 Function
by Silvia Ravera, Alessandra Puddu, Nadia Bertola, Daniela Verzola, Elisa Russo, Davide Maggi and Isabella Panfoli
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13640; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413640 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 693
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contributes to retinal homeostasis, and its metabolic dysfunction is implied in the development of retinal degenerative disease. The isoform M2 of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key factor in cell metabolism, and its function may be affected by [...] Read more.
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contributes to retinal homeostasis, and its metabolic dysfunction is implied in the development of retinal degenerative disease. The isoform M2 of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key factor in cell metabolism, and its function may be affected by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This study aims to investigate the effect of IGF-1 on PKM2 modulation of RPE cells and whether co-treatment with klotho may preserve it. ARPE-19 cells, an ex vivo model of human pigmented epithelium, were exposed to IGF-1. Then, we evaluated PKM2 expression, dimerization and subcellular localization, energy metabolism, and redox balance, and whether pre-treatment with Klotho may antagonize the effects of IGF-1. The results show that IGF-1 favors PKM2 dimerization, thus reducing the activity of PKM2 and leading to an altered cellular energy status coupled with reduced oxidative stress. In conclusion, PKM2 plays a pivotal role in the modulation of RPE metabolism and redox balance and could explain the mechanisms through which IGF-1 participates in the pathogenesis of some retinal diseases. Klotho may exert protective effects by mitigating the IGF-1 signal and its effect on mitochondrial function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular Metabolism and Retinal Diseases: Unraveling Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Targets)
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Review

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17 pages, 1218 KiB  
Review
The Role and Diagnostic Potential of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 in Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema
by Akanksha Malepati and Maria B. Grant
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 3961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26093961 - 22 Apr 2025
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycemia, leading to multiple microvascular and macrovascular complications, including significant ocular damage resulting in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Many factors contribute to the pathogenesis of [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycemia, leading to multiple microvascular and macrovascular complications, including significant ocular damage resulting in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Many factors contribute to the pathogenesis of DR and DME, including hyperglycemia-mediated vascular and neuronal abnormalities and local and systemic inflammation. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have been implicated in the initiation and progression of DR and DME through a variety of mechanistic processes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synopsis of the diverse roles and molecular pathways supporting IGF-1 in the pathogenesis of DR and DME, elucidating its range of effects from detrimental to protective, depending on the context and stage of disease. We further investigate the underlying inflammatory processes regulated by IGF-1 and examine how the interaction of IGF-1 with key signaling molecules influences these inflammatory mechanisms. Additionally, the potential of serum IGF-1 as a biomarker for the progression of DR and DME in clinical practice is discussed. Finally, we consider current therapeutic approaches for DR and DME in relation to IGF-1 and explore novel therapeutic targets and innovative delivery methods. By providing an in-depth understanding of IGF-1’s role in the pathogenesis and progression of DR and DME, this review underscores the diagnostic utility of serum IGF-1 and puts forth new treatment strategies to improve the management of DR and DME. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular Metabolism and Retinal Diseases: Unraveling Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Targets)
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