New Insights into Autophagy and Retinal Degeneration
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 August 2025 | Viewed by 837
Special Issue Editor
Interests: neuroanatomy; neuroscience; neurodegeneration; methamphetamine; autophagy; movement disorders; substances of abuse; morphology; ultrastructure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The integrity of the retina is constantly challenged by a high amount of oxidative stress, which depends on a high rate of oxygen consumption and handling of oxidative electromagnetic waves. This explains the high rate of oxidized lipids, altered mitochondria, misfolded proteins and abnormal glycation by-products produced by the retina. These altered chemical species attack subcellular organs and ultimately lead to loss of retinal integrity and retinal inflammation. The presence of a solid metabolic machinery devoted to the clearance of altered organelles and molecules is seminal to maintain retinal integrity. The autophagy pathway is highly active in specific cell types of the retina and provides a solid defense to counteract a number of degenerative conditions ranging from primary retinal alterations such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa to secondary retinal damage in the course of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. The relevance of autophagy extends to maintain optimal synaptic activity within retinal networks and reduce abnormal inflammatory processes. The proliferation and differentiation of retinal stem cells are also influenced by autophagy. The enhancement of autophagy by drugs, nutraceuticals, specific wavelengths, and life-style is promising to prevent or cure retinal degeneration. All these aspects will be covered by the present Special Issue, which aims to collect the growing evidence and opinions on the role of autophagy in maintaining retinal integrity.
Prof. Dr. Francesco Fornai
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- autophagy
- retinal degeneration
- retinal inflammation
- oxidative stress
- retinal alterations
- age-related macular degeneration
- retinal damage
- inflammatory processes
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