20th Anniversary of Pharmaceuticals—Advances in Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Neuroprotection in Glaucoma

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2024 | Viewed by 948

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Eye-APC Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
2. Nanoscope Therapeutics, Inc., Trinity Towers, 2777 N. Stemmons Fwy., Dallas, TX 75207, USA
Interests: glaucoma; receptors; ocular hypertension; pathology; treatments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our great delight and honor to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pharmaceuticals with a Special Issue on glaucoma, and to invite  researchers to contribute a manuscript of original research, review, or short communication. The articles from this Special Issue will be compiled into a dedicated book.

As you are aware, the many forms of glaucoma afflict millions of people worldwide. There is still a critical need to better understand the genetics, pathophysiology, and clinical ramifications connected with this heterogeneous optic neuropathy. As leaders in the glaucoma field, I cordially invite you to contribute an original or a review article covering the pathogenesis and/or pharmacology of current treatment modalities for ocular hypertension and glaucoma in an area of your expertise. This can also include neuroprotection for glaucomatous optic neuropathy, animal models, and related topics such as diagnosis, devices, AI, and, of course, the pharmacology of the receptors/enzymes/ion-channels implicated in the disease process or treatment(s).

Dr. Najam A. Sharif
Guest Editor

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. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • Genetics & Epigenetics
  • Enzymes
  • Ion-channels
  • miRNAs
  • Gene and Cell Therapies
  • Optogenetics
  • Novel techniques/technologies
  • Receptors
  • Ocular hypertension
  • Intraocular pressure
  • Retina
  • Optic Nerve
  • Brain Visual centers
  • Animal Models of Glaucoma
  • Neuroprotection

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 4374 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor on Retinal Structure and Visual Function in Rodent Models of Optic Nerve Crush
by Takazumi Taniguchi, Najam A. Sharif, Takashi Ota, Rafal A. Farjo and Rebecca Rausch
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(6), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060798 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 335
Abstract
The effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and visual function were assessed in rat and mouse models of optic nerve (ON) crush. ONs were crushed on Day 1, followed by intravitreal injections of a vehicle or BDNF [...] Read more.
The effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and visual function were assessed in rat and mouse models of optic nerve (ON) crush. ONs were crushed on Day 1, followed by intravitreal injections of a vehicle or BDNF on Days 1 and 8. The spatial frequency threshold was measured using optokinetic tracking on Days 7 and 14. On Day 15, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness was quantified using optical coherence tomography. Furthermore, all eyes were enucleated for immunohistochemical analysis of the surviving RGC somas and axons. BDNF significantly reduced the RGC soma in mice and increased GCC thickness in intact eyes, with apparent axonal swelling in both species. It displayed significantly greater RGC soma survival in eyes with ON injury, with moderately thicker axonal bundles in both species and a thicker GCC in rats. Visual function was significantly reduced in all ON-crushed animals, regardless of BDNF treatment. Thus, we obtained a comprehensive analysis of the structural and functional impact of BDNF in intact and ON-crushed eyes in two rodent models. Our results provide a foundation for further BDNF evaluation and the design of preclinical studies on neuroprotectants using BDNF as a reference positive control. Full article
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20 pages, 15838 KiB  
Article
Daphnetin Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain via Regulation of Microglial Responses and Glycerophospholipid Metabolism in the Spinal Cord
by Wulin Liang, Tianrui Zhang, Mingqian Zhang, Jiahui Gao, Rikang Huang, Xiyan Huang, Jianhua Chen, Lu Cheng, Liyuan Zhang, Zhishan Huang, Qiling Tan, Zhanhong Jia and Shuofeng Zhang
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(6), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060789 - 16 Jun 2024
Viewed by 242
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common type of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. This condition imposes a considerable economic burden on society and patients. Daphnetin (DAP) is a natural product isolated from a Chinese medicinal [...] Read more.
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common type of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. This condition imposes a considerable economic burden on society and patients. Daphnetin (DAP) is a natural product isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb with various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate DAP’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and explore the underlying mechanisms of action. The NP model was established as chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, and pain sensitivity was evaluated by measuring the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal threshold (TWT). The activation of microglia in the spinal dorsal horn was measured via immunofluorescence staining. Protein levels were measured using a western blot assay. Using a mass-spectrometry proteomics platform and an LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics platform, proteins and metabolites in spinal cord tissues were extracted and analyzed. DAP treatment ameliorated the MWT and TWT in CCI rats. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was inhibited by DAP treatment in the spinal cords of CCI rats. Moreover, the activation of microglia was suppressed after DAP treatment. The elevation in the levels of P2X4, IRF8, IRF5, BDNF, and p-P38/P38 in the spinal cord caused by CCI was inhibited by DAP. Proteomics and metabolomics results indicated that DAP ameliorated the imbalance of glycerophospholipid metabolism in the spinal cords of CCI rats. DAP can potentially ameliorate NP by regulating microglial responses and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the CCI model. This study provides a pharmacological justification for using DAP in the management of NP. Full article
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