Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ling-Ping Cen, Tsz Kin Ng, Jia-Jian Liang, Ciyan Xu, Xi Zhuang, Yu-Fen Liu, Shao-Lang Chen, Yanxuan Xu, Qichen Yang, Xiang-Ling Yuan, Yong Jie Qin, Sun On Chan, Haoyu Chen, Mingzhi Zhang, Andrew V. Schally, Chi Pui Pang
Summary: The study demonstrated that both agonists and antagonists of GHRH could promote the survival of RGCs through increasing Akt phosphorylation and regulating the expression of inflammation-related genes. GHRH analogs not only have a protective effect on RGCs after optic nerve injury, but also enhance the activation of macrophages.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jess Rhee, Kendrick Co Shih
Summary: The review of gene-based therapy for RGC neuroprotection showed promising results utilizing AAV vectors encoding specific genes. However, challenges still exist, such as the acute nature of injury models in studies and the regulation of gene expression.
Article
Cell Biology
Ben Mead, Alicia Kerr, Naoki Nakaya, Stanislav I. Tomarev
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the miRNA profile of purified retinal ganglion cells (RGC) from healthy and diseased rat retina. Over 100 different miRNAs were identified in diseased retina compared to healthy retina. Manipulating candidate mRNAs after retinal injury revealed significant neuroprotection and neuritogenesis effects in RGC.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fa Yuan, Mingwei Wang, Kangxin Jin, Mengqing Xiang
Summary: The text discusses the pathogenesis of glaucoma and the characteristics of RGCs, highlighting the differences in regenerative abilities post-injury and the latest research findings. It proposes potential directions for future therapeutics in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Lingyi Ouyang, Tao He, Yiqiao Xing
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Park7 on the survival and function of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) following optic nerve crush (ONC) in mice, as well as its underlying mechanism. The results showed that downregulation of Park7 exacerbated RGC injury and impaired retinal electrophysiological response and optomotor response. The study found that Park7 may exert neuroprotective effects via the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for optic neuropathy.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Vernazza, Francesco Oddone, Sara Tirendi, Anna Maria Bassi
Summary: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that causes damage to retinal ganglion cells and results in permanent vision loss. While Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) is the main therapeutic target, other pathological conditions and neuroprotective therapeutic approaches also play important roles in the disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sotaro Mori, Takuji Kurimoto, Hidetaka Maeda, Makoto Nakamura
Summary: This study demonstrated that DMF promotes the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after optic nerve crush (ONC) by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. It increased the density of TUBB3-positive RGCs and the amplitude of the pSTR, and upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in RGCs, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for RGC survival after injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Fen Lai, Ting-Yi Lin, Pin-Kuan Ho, Yi-Hao Chen, Yu-Chuan Huang, Da-Wen Lu
Summary: In this review, the neuroprotective function of erythropoietin (EPO) in extra-hematopoietic tissues, especially the retina, is highlighted. The available pre-clinical studies of EPO in treating various optic neuropathies are summarized. Furthermore, future strategies for optic nerve protection and repair using EPO and its derivatives are explored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vittorio Porciatti, Tsung-Han Chou
Summary: Neuroprotection in optic neuropathies aims to preserve retinal ganglion cells and their function. The use of the Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) for noninvasive evaluation of RGC function can provide diagnostic and prognostic value, as well as support early treatment recommendations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Vittorio Porciatti, Tsung-Han Chou
Summary: This study introduces a framework to identify progressive and potentially reversible stages of RGC dysfunction leading to cell death in mouse models of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. Mathematical equations are provided to describe state-transitions and modifiable parameters that can be used for hypothesis testing and fitting experimental PERG data. PERG dynamics are also utilized to differentiate phenotypic and altered RGC response dynamics, assess susceptibility to stressors, and evaluate reversible dysfunction with pharmacological treatment.
Review
Cell Biology
Nicole A. Muench, Sonia Patel, Margaret E. Maes, Ryan J. Donahue, Akihiro Ikeda, Robert W. Nickells
Summary: Mitochondrial function and dysfunction play important roles in neurodegeneration, especially in RGCs which are highly vulnerable due to their unique structure. Glaucoma represents a combination of events at the optic nerve head that increase metabolic stress on RGC axons, leading to axonal transport failure. Additionally, RGCs are sensitive to genetic mutations affecting mitochondrial dynamics and clearance, often resulting in optic neuropathy as the sole pathological defect.
Review
Neurosciences
Jonathan R. Soucy, Erika A. Aguzzi, Julie Cho, Michael James Gilhooley, Casey Keuthan, Ziming Luo, Aboozar Monavarfeshani, Meher A. Saleem, Xue-Wei Wang, Juilette Wohlschlegel, Petr Baranov, Adriana Di Polo, Brad Fortune, Kimberly K. Gokoffski, Jeffrey L. Goldberg, William Guido, Alex L. Kolodkin, Carol A. Mason, Yvonne Ou, Thomas A. Reh, Ahmara G. Ross, Brian C. Samuels, Derek Welsbie, Donald J. Zack, Thomas V. Johnson
Summary: This article discusses the key questions and challenges in restoring vision through RGC repopulation and proposes a multidisciplinary approach to advance the field. The efforts of the RReSTORe Consortium provide a comprehensive roadmap for treating patients with optic neuropathies.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lei Gu, Jacky M. Kwong, Joseph Caprioli, Natik Piri
Summary: Rbfox1 is a multifunctional RNA binding protein that plays key roles in regulating alternative splicing and cell survival under stress. Deletion of Rbfox1 in retinal ganglion cells results in decreased survival and severe degeneration, indicating its importance in neuronal functions and survival mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biology
Yue Hu, Lynn Michelle Grodzki, Susanne Bartsch, Udo Bartsch
Summary: This review summarizes preclinical studies assessing the efficacy of cell-based neuroprotective treatment strategies to rescue retinal ganglion cells from cell death. Intraocular transplantations of diverse cell types or cells engineered to overexpress neurotrophic factors have shown significant attenuation of ganglion cell loss. Combinatorial cell-based neuroprotective approaches may further increase the survival rates of retinal ganglion cells, but long-term impact and potential adverse effects are still limited, making it challenging to assess their therapeutic potential.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jingfei Xue, Yingting Zhu, Zhe Liu, Jicheng Lin, Yangjiani Li, Yiqing Li, Yehong Zhuo
Summary: Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by neuronal degeneration and axonal loss in the CNS, while glaucoma is a specific type of neurodegenerative disease marked by the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve. This study investigates the role of demyelination in glaucoma by examining morphological and functional manifestations, discussing mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and summarizing previous research to inspire future effective treatment plans for glaucoma.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)